Casspi calls swastika graffiti on billboard photo 'hurtful'

Israeli NBA player to push anti-Semtic act out of his mind as prepares to "have a great season" with his Sacramento Kings.

By JTA
omri casspi 311 (photo credit: AP)
omri casspi 311
(photo credit: AP)
Famous Israeli basketball player Omri Casspi expressed hurt at the discovery of a swastika drawn onto his forehead in a billboard photo in the California city where his team, the Sacramento Kings, play.
Casspi, reached September 9 at his home in Israel, told the Sacramento Bee that he was aware of the incident, which is being investigated as a hate crime by local police.
RELATED:Casspi back in blue and whiteDeath threats received at French shulAjami synagogue defaced with swastikas"Everybody's talking about it. It's hurtful to think that this is 2010, and there are still people like that out there," he told the newspaper.
"I almost don't know what to say. It's probably just some idiot who wants some publicity. But I know the people in Sacramento, and they have been wonderful to me. I know they must feel bad about this. Same thing with the Kings. I'll just let the police handle this and focus on having a great season," he said.
A backward swastika was painted on the forehead of Casspi's photo on the billboard. The incident was reported to police at around noon on September 8, although it is not clear when the hateful act of vandalism was committed.
"This act of hate and intolerance is despicable and cowardly," said California State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg in a written statement."It is all the more offensive because it occurred on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the celebration of the Jewish New Year. As residents of Sacramento, we are fortunate to live in a community that respects and draws strength from our individual differences. But we also are united in condemning the cowardly acts of those who wish to sow fear, hatred, and anger toward others based on their religious beliefs."
Casspi is due to return to Sacramento this week to begin preparing for training camp, according to the Bee. He had been in Israel participating in a basketball camp promoting coexistence between Jewish and Arab youth in Jaffa.


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