Karl Anthony-Towns Attends Jewish Fundraiser Amid Ongoing Discussions on Antisemitism

Karl Anthony-Towns, a player for the New York Knicks, attended a fundraiser on July 25, 2026, for the Jewish youth education group Chazaq in New York City. During the event, he expressed that it was an honor to represent the city. The organization presented him with a gift promoting its anti-bullying campaign. This appearance follows recent actions by other NBA players, including Kyrie Irving and Victor Wembanyama, who showed support for an anti-Israel message by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The mayor has faced criticism for his comments regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which some argue contribute to rising antisemitism in the city. According to NYPD data, antisemitic incidents accounted for approximately 55% to 60% of all confirmed hate crimes in New York City in the first quarter of 2026.