Seahawks’ Bennett pulls out of trip to Israel
Published 1:30 am Sunday, February 12, 2017
Associated Press
JERUSALEM — Seattle Seahawks defense lineman Michael Bennett has pulled out of a sponsored trip to Israel, accusing its government of trying to use him for PR purposes and citing sympathy for the Palestinians.
Bennett’s last-minute decision came as an embarrassment to the Israeli government, which has invited a group of players to visit this week on a mission aimed at improving the country’s image.
Israeli Cabinet minister Gilad Erdan had earlier noted the “great importance” of the visit, saying it would counter “the false incitement campaign that is being waged against Israel around the world.”
Erdan leads the ministry for strategic affairs and public diplomacy, which works to boost Israel’s image and counter the influence of an international boycott movement. His ministry declined to comment Sunday.
Tourism Minister Yariv Lavin had said the players would become “ambassadors of good will for Israel.”
But in a letter posted to Twitter on Saturday, Bennett wrote: “I will not be used in such a manner.”
In a addressed “Dear World” and posted on Twitter, Bennett write that when “I do go to Israel — and I do plan to go — it will be to see not only Israel but also the West Bank and Gaza so I can see how the Palestinians, who have called this land home for thousands of years, live their lives.”
Noting that one of his heroes is Muhammad Ali, Bennett wrote: “I know that Ali always stood strongly with the Palestinian people, visiting refugee camps, going to rallies and always willing to be a ‘voice for the voiceless’ and I cannot do that by going on this kind of trip to Israel.”
Quoting John Carlos, the Olympian known for his 1968 civil rights protest on the medal stant, Bennett added: “There is no partial commitment to justice. You’re either in or you’re out. Well, I’m in.”
In a separate Twitter post, Miami Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills indicated he also will skip the trip.
The delegation, which includes Bennett’s brother Martellus of the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots and fellow Seahawk defensive lineman Cliff Avril, was set to arrive Monday.
The visit includes stops at a hospital, the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and a meeting with the “Black Hebrews,” a community of African Americans who live in southern Israel.
Other players in the delegation include Delanie Walker of the Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Mychal Kendricks, Cameron Jordan of the New Orleans Saints, Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49er Carlos Hyde, Dan Williams of the Oakland Raiders and Justin Forsett of the Denver Broncos.
