Filmmaker Spike Lee has revealed he is experiencing significant online harassment and hate mail due to his outspoken support for Palestine. This backlash includes a recent incident at Yankee Stadium, where a fan confronted him about his views.
During an interview with Variety, Lee, a well-known New York sports enthusiast, shared that he has been "getting a lot of hate mail and stuff." He recounted an event prior to Game 2 of the Yankees' wild-card series against the Red Sox. While in the stadium's Legends Suite, a fan approached Lee for a selfie and then demanded he say "f—k Palestine."
In response, Lee, 69, became visibly angered and rose from his seat, seeking security to address the fan. He was reportedly restrained by stadium staff as he confronted the individual. Security personnel escorted the fan out of the suite.
Lee also detailed a separate incident that occurred at his home. He described a woman, identified as Lizzy Savetsky, who he said stood in front of his house, displayed an Israeli flag, and engaged in a tirade before placing an Israeli flag in his mailbox. Lee noted that tampering with someone's mail is against the law.
Lee, known for his direct approach in Hollywood, also spoke about his long-standing connection to New York sports. He recalled a past instance where he influenced New Era's custom hat production. After purchasing a New Era Yankees jacket with a red stripe, he contacted New Era about creating a matching Yankees hat in red. When they initially declined, he involved then-Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who contacted New Era, leading to the creation of the red Yankees hat. Lee stated that this was the first time team hats were made in colors other than the team's official colors, marking a significant change in sports merchandise.
Lee was also a prominent figure during the Knicks' previous NBA season, having been a season-ticket holder for the team since 1985.