Spike Lee appeared to get involved in a tense argument with a fan over the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
Lee, 69, was spotted dining at a Yankee Stadium restaurant on Wednesday, September 30, where a fan repeatedly asked how he felt about Palestine, per now-viral social media footage.
“Why’d you come over to me?” the director shouted, while multiple individuals held him back from a potential physical altercation.
Lee has not publicly addressed the incident. Us reached out for comment.
The Do the Right Thing filmmaker had been present on Wednesday to attend the second game of the American League Wild Card Series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. He previously attended Game 1 on Tuesday, September 29.
“Had a great time last night taking my daughter SATCHEL … to NY YANKEES playoff game versus da Boston Red Sox,” Lee wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, snapping a selfie with his 31-year-old daughter from their seats. “YANKS W⚾️N 9-⚾️.A BOOGiE D⚾️WN BR⚾️NX BEATD⚾️WN.🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥.”
The Yankees also defeated the Red Sox on Wednesday, 9-2.
Lee has been outspoken about his political beliefs and came under fire after wearing the Palestinian flag colors to the NBA’s All-Star Game earlier this year. He subsequently issued an apology to Deni Avdija, the first Israeli-born athlete to play in the game.
“Much respect to Deni Avdija, the first Israeli-born player in the NBA All-Star Game,” Lee began a February social media post. “Congratulations also to all the players and the NBA. There has been some conjecture about what I wore to the games on Saturday and Sunday.”
He continued at the time, “The clothes I wore are symbols of my concern for the Palestinian children and civilians, and my utmost belief in human dignity for all humankind.”
Lee further stressed that he did not intend his outfit to be seen as “a gesture of hostility” to those who practice Judaism or condoning “violence against anyone.”
“Nor Was it intended as a comment on the significance of Deni being an All-Star. There were 28 NBA players chosen to be in L.A. this weekend,” he added. “I didn’t know them all and Deni playing for the Portland Trailblazers, a West Coast team, I didn’t know Deni as the first Israeli-born NBA All-Star. He can BALL.”
Avdija, 25, did not publicly respond to Lee, who is a longtime fan of the New York Knicks.
