In condemning antisemitism, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is in a league of his own

Earlier in the month, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar courageously penned an op-ed not just calling out antisemites in the black community, but also railing against the apathy toward hate in general.

By SAM GRUNDWERG
KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR with the author, who called the basketball great a humanitarian and a philanthropist, steeped in a long and enduring commitment to tolerance. (photo credit: Courtesy)
KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR with the author, who called the basketball great a humanitarian and a philanthropist, steeped in a long and enduring commitment to tolerance.
(photo credit: Courtesy)
“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.” – president John F. Kennedy.
During the recent worrying rise in antisemitism around the world, the Jewish people have been blessed to have a few friends of tremendous courage who have stood up to be counted by openly condemning the oppressive hate language being used by well-known figures in sports, entertainment and other opinion-shapers.
Earlier in the month, NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar courageously penned an op-ed in The Hollywood Reporter, not just calling out antisemites in the black community, but also railing against the apathy toward hate in general.
It is certainly not surprising to me that Kareem would take such a strong stand. I have known him to be a humanitarian and a philanthropist, steeped in a long and enduring commitment to tolerance, acceptance and working tirelessly toward a better society. Just as he did during his storied basketball career, Kareem stands out above all in demonstrating the best example possible to those around him.
In 2017, while I served as Israel’s consul general in Los Angeles, I hosted Kareem at an Iftar break-fast meal at my official residence during the month of Ramadan. He led various Jewish and Muslim leaders in a wide-ranging conversation promoting discourse, appreciation and mutual respect between local Jewish and Muslim communities.
I was inspired by Kareem’s efforts in promoting harmony and unity between people of different faiths and backgrounds, especially between Muslims and Jews. He said that the basic values of Islam, Christianity and Judaism are the same values, based on compassion, tolerance and helping the needy. Those who incite us toward each other do so not out of religious belief but out of their own political and economic ambitions. Therefore, we, the believers, need to take advantage of every opportunity to sit together and share our messages of unity with all those who seek peace and a thriving world.
This is the basic message which informs everything that has made Kareem an even greater legend to my mind off the court than on it.
I began to understand that he has a special sensitivity to antisemitism because a close friend of his father’s, fondly known to Kareem growing up as “Uncle Smitty,” was in a US tank division that liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp in 1945. The stories Kareem heard growing up were first-hand memories of what can happen to Jews when no one speaks up for or stands with them.
MANY YEARS ago, when he was about to embark on the film version of a book Brothers in Arms that he co-authored, dealing with the American troops who liberated Nazi concentration camps at the end of World War II, he visited Israel and made a special effort to meet with Rabbi Israel Meir Lau, who had been liberated as a young child from Buchenwald by Uncle Smitty.
In fact, it had been his father’s dying wish that Kareem would visit Israel and meet the little boy who had been rescued from Buchenwald and who became a prominent rabbi.

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Kareem’s experience might be unique, but his lasting message should not be. Reading his Hollywood Reporter article, one senses both his sincerity and outrage at the continuing scourge of antisemitism.
The Jewish people should embrace and celebrate allies like Kareem.
All too often, we have witnessed antisemitism by some of the world’s most prominent people regarded as a lesser hatred. Jew-hatred is somehow not seen as equal to other forms of racism and discrimination, and frequently, the only voices being heard against it emanate from within the Jewish community.
As the world chairman of the Keren Hayesod, I am in regular contact with the leaders of Jewish communities from more than 45 countries. I can hear their deep frustration about having to cry out for solidarity from non-Jewish decision-makers and opinion-shapers. Many rightly feel abandoned.
We can and we should expect more, and we shouldn’t have to plead or even ask for it.
As Jews, we should be especially sensitive to the abuse, discrimination and oppression of others. I am proud of the fact that Jews stood shoulder to shoulder with those central to the civil rights movement in the US and opposed apartheid in South Africa, to name but two examples.
Our history amply demonstrates what happens when evil is allowed to triumph because of silence and the absence of good men, to paraphrase the old adage.
We need to be those good people who stand up to evil and bigotry and expect to see them from other communities in return.
I hope that Kareem’s example will be appreciated, admired and emulated by all, Jews and non-Jews alike.
It is not easy to take a stand, because as we unfortunately saw in Kareem’s case, there is always the possibility of backlash and becoming the focal point for additional scorn from the abuser.
Kareem has shown that standing against hate, intolerance and bigotry can transcend community, race or religion. As president Kennedy said, it does not show a lack of commitment to a belief or a set of ideals, it emboldens and strengthens them.
These are the basic values that are necessary for the progress and development of any society and civilization and are deeply rooted in all of the monotheistic religions. Kareem has stayed true to the values that he learned at home, on the court and in his life as a humanitarian and philanthropist.
The writer is world chairman of Keren Hayesod – UIA (United Israel Appeal), the preeminent national institution and worldwide organization for Israel, celebrating its centennial year, which serves as the fund-raising arm of the Jewish people and the Zionist Movement.


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