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Susan Tawil, World Israel News
An NBA star offered his support to an Israeli actor and IDF reservist wounded in the line of duty in Gaza, penning a Hebrew prayer for his recovery.
Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija is the only Israeli player in the NBA (National Basketball Association). The 6’9” A-Grade player, in the top 40 for field goals, was #9 in the 2020 draft. Nicknamed “Turbo,” the 23-year old writes messages in Hebrew on his basketball shoes in support of Israel.
Israeli NBA player Deni Avdija has played his latest game wearing shoes with a tribute to Kurdish-Jewish singer and actor Idan Amedi, who was seriously injured yesterday while fighting against Palestinian terrorists in Gaza.
“For the recovery of Idan son of Tova Amedi,” says the… pic.twitter.com/VoUYwPBPet
— Michael Weingardt (@Michael_Wgd) January 10, 2024
This Monday he sent get well wishes, handwritten on his game shoes, to TV’s Fauda star Idan Amedi, who was wounded that day while on IDF reserve duty in Gaza.
On Yom HaShoa (Holocaust Remembrance Day) in 2021, Avdija’s shoes carried the message: “Yizkor” (Remember). He has previously drawn Stars of David on his shoes, and the slogan: “Am Yisrael Chai” (the Nation of Israel Lives).
Hundreds of Israelis stayed after the game with NBA superstar deni avdija to sing and pray for Israel together 💙 pic.twitter.com/Cbf2DlLHGP
— Yossi Farro (@FarroYossi) November 7, 2023
“My heart is with Israel,” Avdija says. On Monday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Avdija wrote (in Hebrew) on the midsole of his orange Nikes: “For the recovery of Idan, son of Tova, Amedi” (traditional Jewish prayers for healing always include the ailing person’s mother’s name).
He is best known for his role as Sago Tzur in the Netflix TV series Fauda, an action drama about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a songwriter, he has five albums to his credit, and has millions of views on YouTube. Most of his songs, such as his 2010 hit, “A Warrior’s Pain,” reflect his experiences in the Israeli military.
Deni Avdija’s video asking folks to come out tomorrow & support his loved ones in Israel and combat antisemitism on the National Mall has not received a single mention from DC media, his Wiz teammates, or the organization itself. A shame bc it’s important. pic.twitter.com/x7QOrTZ0Vj
— Rudy Gersten (@DCBarno) November 14, 2023
After the brutal October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israeli villages that triggered the current Israeli retaliatory war, Amedi donned his IDF uniform and joined the 320,000 reservists in the fight to eliminate terrorism against Israel.
Although he plays an IDF soldier operating in Gaza in the Fauda TV series, in a video Amedi posted on X (Twitter) shortly after his call-up, he tells viewers: “This isn’t a scene from Fauda, this is real life!”
Before Idan Amedi was injured in Gaza, a reporter from N12 interviewed him in the combat zone. The reporter asked if he had a message for people at home and Idan said:
“Am Yisrael Chai. We are working hard here for the security of everyone. We love you.” pic.twitter.com/iTSTkjlMCh
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) January 8, 2024
Idan Amedi is now serving in the IDF Combat Engineering Corps, destroying terror tunnels, missile sites, and Hamas command facilities in the Gaza Strip. About the tunnels, he tweeted: “It’s crazy, crazy what they built here!”
DENI AVDIJA AT THE HALFTIME BUZZER 🔥
Nets-Wizards | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/ibx3rQbJYP pic.twitter.com/O8T7IA1PtI— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2023
On January 8, he was seriously wounded by an explosion in Gaza. He was airlifted to Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer, and underwent serious major surgery. He is now in moderate condition, and doctors are optimistic that he will survive.
Idan Amedi was seriously wounded today in Gaza
Many of you may know Idan from Fauda, the Netflix series, where he plays the role of Sagi Tzur
You probably don’t know he is also a talented singer
Be strong Idan! All of Israel is with you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/twtWHgozjQ
— Hamas Atrocities (@HamasAtrocities) January 8, 2024
Previous to Amedi’s injury, he posted a video in which he asserted: “We fully comprehend why we are here. We are here to protect our children, our families, and our homes. And I promise you that we won’t surrender until we win.” Refuah Shelayma, Idan ben Tova (Complete healing, Idan son of Tova)!