Billie Jean King’s remarks about the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict have stirred strong reactions from the tennis community. Following a series of brutal attacks by Hamas, a Palestinian militant organization, that resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives in Israel, and Israel’s retaliatory strikes causing similar casualties in the Gaza Strip, King expressed her concern on social media.
Her message on X read, “The violence perpetuated by Hamas upon the people of Israel is atrocious. We must stand united to condemn these acts of terrorism, which are an affront to our humanity. My heart is with the victims and their families, along with the Jewish community. May peace prevail.”
The violence perpetuated by Hamas upon the people of Israel is atrocious.
We must stand united to condemn these acts of terrorism, which are an affront to our humanity.
My heart is with the victims and their families, along with the Jewish community.
May peace prevail.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) October 12, 2023
However, King’s comments drew criticism from tennis fans. One fan reacted by saying, “And the Palestinians living in the world’s largest concentration camp? We should empathize with all the innocents. We must condemn Israel cutting off essentials to Gaza, as they repeat the crime of denying essentials to the people perpetrated by Nazis in the Warsaw Ghetto.
And the Palestinians living in the world’s largest concentration camp?
We should empathise with all the innocents.
We must condemn Israel cutting off essentials to Gaza, as they repeat the crime of denying essentials to the people perpetrated by Nazis in the Warsaw Ghetto.
— CJ Murrumbeena (@CJMurrumbeena) October 12, 2023
Fans believed King did not acknowledge the loss of Palestinian lives and overlooked Israel’s actions in Palestine. A fan felt that despite Billie Jean King’s advocacy for women’s rights, she was not showing support for broader human rights and commented, “Fighting for women’s rights and now supporting the genocide of the Palestinian people. The actual terrorist is Israel, not Palestine. Full of hypocrisy. What a low statement from a ‘legend’.”
Fighting for woman’s rights and now supporting the genocide of Palestine people.
The actual terrorist is Israel not Palestine.Full of hypocrisy 😂
What a low statement from a ‘legend’. https://t.co/7ZYQ6z2uJp
— Duke of North (@hausofchip) October 12, 2023
Another fan expressed disappointment, stating, “You’re the weakest link, Billie! You talk about female empowerment but support colonization and the dispossession, killing, and expulsion of Indigenous communities. Absolutely disgraceful!”
You’re the weakest link, Bille! You talk about female empowerment but support colonisation and the dispossession, killing and expulsion of Indigenous communities. Absolutely disgraceful!
— roms (@rshersi) October 13, 2023
Billie Jean King’s remarks on the Israel-Palestine conflict have ignited a wave of response from the tennis followers who wanted the tennis legend to speak against the war and human atrocities, rather than take a one-sided stance.
Tennis event falls victim to regional conflict
The Tel Aviv Open, originally set for November 5-11, has been canceled by organizers and the ATP. This decision comes shortly after a recent attack on Israel by Hamas, prompting a state of war declaration, making it unsafe for tennis players and visitors.
This cancellation is disappointing as the tournament received great feedback from players last year. The ATP 250 event had only returned to Tel Aviv last year after a long break. It had attracted star players and packed crowds. The final was a thrilling affair that saw Novak Djokovic prevail over Marin Cilic.
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Regrettably, considering the present situation, event organizers and the ATP had no alternative but to actively explore a potential replacement venue. One of the options that is being considered as an alternate is Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.