New York Knicks player Karl-Anthony Towns reportedly attended a fundraiser for the Jewish youth education group Chazaq in New York City on Monday. His appearance comes as the city grapples with a significant rise in antisemitic hate crimes.
The organization presented Towns with a gift promoting its "speak no evil" anti-bullying campaign, according to The Algemeiner.
"It was an honor to be able to play for y’all and represent what this city is," Towns told attendees.
Towns' participation stands in contrast to the actions of other NBA players, including Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving and San Antonio Spurs player Victor Wembanyama, who have recently engaged with anti-Israel messages. Both players liked an Instagram video posted by New York City Councilman Zohran Mamdani, who called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal" and suggested he should be arrested if he enters New York City.
Mamdani's rhetoric has drawn criticism from Jewish organizations and elected officials who argue that his statements contribute to a climate of increasing antisemitism in the city. Rabbi Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University, has criticized Mamdani's focus on Israel, stating it betrays New Yorkers.
According to data from the New York Police Department, antisemitic hate crimes constitute a substantial portion of all reported hate crimes in the city. In the first quarter of 2026, antisemitic incidents accounted for approximately 55% to 60% of confirmed hate crimes, despite Jewish residents making up about 10% of the city's population. The NYPD recorded 78 antisemitic cases out of 143 total confirmed hate crimes during that period.