<p data-path-to-node="2">Leave it to filmmaker Spike Lee to prioritize a political costume over a historic moment of athletic achievement.</p>
<p data-path-to-node="2">As the NBA descended upon the Intuit Dome in Southern California for the 2026 All-Star Game, the headlines could have belonged to Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdijam, who made history as the first Israeli-born player to appear in an NBA All-Star Game. Representing the World All-Stars on Team Stars, Avdija wore the Israeli flag on his jersey, a silent but powerful nod to his homeland.</p>
<p data-path-to-node="2">&#8220;I feel like when I come to play, I come with the entire nation,&#8221; Avdija remarked, celebrating a journey that saw him rise from a 16-year-old prodigy at Maccabi Tel Aviv to an NBA powerhouse averaging 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game, one of only three players this season (alongside Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić) to average a 25/7/6 stat line.</p>
<p data-path-to-node="4">But while Avdija was joining the elite company of Jokić and Dončić on the stat sheet, Lee was busy making a statement. The Oscar winner arrived courtside decked out in pro-Palestinian attire, a move clearly designed to counter the presence of the Israeli star.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The NBA has their first Israeli All-Star (Deni Avdija) &amp; Spike Lee decided to wear a “Free Palestine” outfit… <a href="https://t.co/jwky5s0Q4K">pic.twitter.com/jwky5s0Q4K</a></p>
<p>— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonnyRoot_/status/2023197033348370568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2026</a></p></blockquote>
<p data-path-to-node="4">It is a familiar script for Lee, whose career has been peppered with controversies regarding the Jewish community.</p>
<p data-path-to-node="5">In 1990, Lee was forced to pen a New York Times op-ed titled &#8220;I Am Not an Anti-Semite&#8221; following the <a href="https://www.jta.org/archive/adl-criticizes-filmmaker-spike-lee-for-stereotyping-jewish-characters">backlash</a> over his stereotypical portrayal of Jewish businessmen in &#8220;Mo&#8217; Better Blues.&#8221; More recently, in 2021, Lee was caught in a firestorm for <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/spike-lee-to-re-edit-documentary-featuring-antisemitic-9-11-conspiracy-theorist/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">featuring</a> 9/11 conspiracy theorists—including those who have entertained antisemitic tropes and blamed Israel for the terror attacks—in his HBO documentary series. He eventually retreated to the editing room to scrub the segment after intense public pressure.</p>
<p data-path-to-node="6">The contrast in Southern California was stark. While Houston Rockets star Alperen Sengun, who is Turkish, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/spike-lee-wears-pro-palestinian-outfit-nba-all-star-game-israeli-born-player-competing">offered</a> a class act by praising his &#8220;good friend&#8221; Avdija and calling for &#8220;peace in all world,&#8221; Lee chose the path of the provocateur.</p>
<p data-path-to-node="6">As the league attempted to showcase a global game of &#8220;love and staying together,&#8221; Lee’s wardrobe choice served as a reminder that for some, the narrative of grievance always trumps the merit of the individual.</p>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Spike Lee Chooses ‘Free Palestine’ Stunt Over Celebrating NBA’s First Israeli All-Star

CONTINUE READING

Purple Heart Hero Levels Radical Dem Who Mocked His War Wounds

NHL Icon Claude Lemieux Dead At 60 After Apparent Suicide

Bari Weiss Is Remaking CBS News And The Left Is Panicking

Iran Hired Americans To Assassinate Famed Dissident. One Just Got Sentenced.

Socialist Mayor Orders Police Union To Scrub Post That Called Her Out

Missouri Supreme Court Hands GOP Another Victory

News and Commentary

Celebrities

Israel

Palestinians

Politics

Spike Lee

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News and Commentary —

Spike Lee Chooses ‘Free Palestine’ Stunt Over Celebrating NBA’s First Israeli All-Star