"It’s called apartheid, Pat" - Patrick Beverley gets called out by NBA fans for seemingly enjoying Israeli Basketball League

This summer, Patrick Beverley took his talents overseas to Israel, joining Hapoel Tel Aviv on a $2 million contract for the 2024 season. After spending 12 seasons in the NBA, his decision to play overseas came as a shock to many fans; however, the most surprising aspect of the deal was that Beverley would be playing in Israel, a country engulfed in a conflict with Palestine.

That said, Beverley still had nothing but good things to say about his time in Israel. During Thursday's episode of "The Pat Bev Podcast" for Barstool Sports, Beverley spoke highly of the country. As he shared, he has had a lot of good experiences and spent up to seven hours a day enjoying life on the beach.

While the country is at war with Palestine, Patrick Beverley explained that Israel has been comparable to paradise. From beautiful pink sunsets and a mansion villa, he has been treated like a true star while playing in Tel Aviv.

However, the way basketball fans see things, Beverley shouldn't be speaking so highly about his experience in Israel when the country is accused of human rights abuses at detention camps and is reportedly holding Palestinians.

In response to his praise of Israel, the basketball community was quick to call Beverley out:

"It’s called apartheid, Pat. You’re participating in apartheid while a genocide is happening. Shame on you for accepting “Israel’s” blood money." - One wrote

"Bro we get it the state is paying you to say all this just like they pay the other celebs" - Another added

Others cautioned the veteran guard:

"It's all cool until a cruise missle gets past the iron dome" - One wrote

"I wonder how far the stench of war/genocide travels… when did we become so blind?" - Another added

Others expressed disappointment in Patrick Beverley:

"So disappointed. Honestly I'm heartbroken." - One wrote

"Disappointed because I hated PB for a long time but eventually became a fan but this so tone deaf and ignorant I’m shocked smh" - Another added

"One of the best places I've ever played basketball" - Patrick Beverley praises Israel after joining Hapoel Tel Aviv

Throughout his 12-year NBA career, Patrick Beverley played for some of the biggest franchises in the league. After spending the first five years of his NBA career with the Houston Rockets, he was traded to the Clippers, where he spent four seasons.

His time with the team overlapped with renowned billionaire Steve Ballmer's tenure as owner after he purchased the franchise in 2014. Since then, Ballmer has repeatedly been praised by Clippers players for going above and beyond for them.

Since then, Beverley played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, had another stop in LA to play for the Lakers, and stints with the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks.

Patrick Beverley talked about how beautiful Israel is. On his podcast, he shared:

"Probably one of the best places I ever played basketball. No, cap, it's a beautiful place. ...

"Like the sunset, the people, the food. The food is great. The water is spectacular. It's 90 degrees every day. The water is a cool 78. Warm. Like, I mean, Rone, I can't make none of this up, bro. Me, coming from NBA, the city loves the s**t out of me," Beverley added.

While that may be true, it's clear that some members of the basketball community don't appreciate his praise of Israel given its role in the ongoing conflict with Palestine.