Former New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns player Amar’e Stoudemire blasted politicians and Black Lives Matter supporters who have been silent following Hamas’ attack on Israel.
In an Instagram post, Stoudemire condemned Hamas supporters after the military organization launched missiles into Israel on Saturday morning.
“I woke up this morning with some disturbing news out of Israel that Hamas [are] kidnapping children, putting them in cages, killing women, killing the elderly. That’s some coward sh-t. That’s cowardly. And for all y’all Black Lives Matter [supporters] who ain’t saying nothing, [saying] ‘Let me figure out exactly what’s happening before saying anything’, f-ck you,” he said passionately,” he said.
“I woke up this morning with some disturbing news out of Israel that Hamas [are] kidnapping children, putting them in cages, killing women, killing the elderly. That’s some coward s**t. That’s cowardly. And for all y’all Black Live Matter [supporters] who ain’t saying nothing,… pic.twitter.com/sQ9DBMow5J
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 8, 2023
As the attacks rage on for their fifth day, the death toll continues to rise. Social media has been flooded with pictures of parents holding the bodies of their dead babies — parts of the country reduced to rubble.
“Figure out what? It ain’t never been cool to kidnap kids and put them in cages, ain’t never been cool to kill women and [the] elderly. Never been, no matter where you’re from, what you represent, or trying to be. Don’t matter. They never been no cool,” Stoudemire continued. “And then you go on high and put the kids in front of you as a barricade. That’s some coward sh-t. All you politicians who always have to say something on the contrary, I see you, f-ck you. All you Black Lives Matter people who always have something to say and always support everything else and are quiet now, f-ck you too. Only place in the world where I can go tour, study, and eat cultured food. Only place in the world. Some coward sh-t dawg… If y’all support it, f-ck you. Me and my momma, we don’t respect none of y’all for that. Peace.”
On Wednesday, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported that at least 1,100 people, including at least 326 children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip by Israel’s retaliatory strikes. A further 5,339 more have been injured. This week, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced a blockade, which will include a total ban on the admission of food, electricity and fuel. The action will affect as many as 2 million Gazan residents.
“We are putting a complete siege on Gaza … No electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed,” Gallant said in a video statement.
In response to Gallant’s contentious declaration, Sen. Bernie Sanders accused Israel of violating international law.
“For many, it is no secret that Gaza has been an open-air prison, with millions of people struggling to secure basic necessities,” Sanders said in a statement issued on Wednesday. “The targeting of civilians is a war crime, no matter who does it,” said Sanders. “Israel’s blanket denial of food, water, and other necessities to Gaza is a serious violation of international law and will do nothing but harm innocent civilians.”
Bernie Sanders statement on Israel-Gaza violence:
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) October 11, 2023
"The United States has rightly offered solidarity and support to Israel in responding to Hamas’ attack. But we must also insist on restraint from Israeli forces attacking Gaza and work to secure UN humanitarian access." pic.twitter.com/KJSWvAmLHo
Rep. Rashida Tlaib also released the statement following the bombing of Gazan villages and a refugee camp.
“I grieve the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today, and every day,” said Tlaib. “The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation, and apartheid makes no one safer. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other. As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue.”
Rashida Tlaib @RepRashida is going to trigger a lot of Democrats & Republicans with her statement on Israel & Palestine lol pic.twitter.com/nF8D813kmx
— LeftwardSwing ♿🕊️ 💉 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 (@LeftwardSwing) October 8, 2023
However, President Joe Biden proclaimed that the U.S. “stands with Israel” and will never “fail to have their back.”
We stand with Israel. pic.twitter.com/W6MS8pf2EX
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 11, 2023