Auburn CBB HC Bruce Pearl speaks out against anti-Israel protests: “It's just disturbing to me”

Auburn Tigers basketball coach Bruce Pearl is an outspoken supporter of the Israeli cause, and he has been at the forefront of efforts to support Israel since the conflict in the Middle East began.

Pearl is a co-founder of the Jewish Coaches Association and he even took his basketball team to Israel before last season began. This year, he organized for the Kansas State and Arizona basketball teams to visit Israel as well.

During a recent appearance on Fox News, Bruce Pearl revealed his dismay at the protests that have swept across universities in the country in support of the Palestinian cause.

“It just breaks my heart to see students across our country protesting against Israel after they saw the genocide. I love this country, and I’m grateful for its support,” Pearl said.

The Auburn Tigers coach recently organized for students to send boxes of supplies to Israel and he spoke about this move on his Fox News appearance.

“It’s just disturbing to me to watch people in this country supporting an organization that supports this kind of terror. And so this group here was proud to stand with Israel.”

Bruce Pearl takes to social media to battle pro-Palestinian users

Bruce Pearl, one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball has been active on X in the last few weeks battling users who express solidarity with the Palestinians.

Last month, after the first wave of attacks happened, the often outspoken Pearl took to X to call for the complete destruction of Hamas.

“Israel needs her big brother’s support now more than ever! We need a strong Israel to be able to ally with her peaceful Arab neighbors and deal the terrorist regime in Iran. And Hamas must be destroyed, not for revenge, but for the safety of everyone living in the Middle East!”

Bruce Pearl was at the forefront of criticizing the Black Lives Matter Chicago group on X after they posted a controversial tweet stating, "I stand with Palestine" on a poster with a paratrooper on a parachute.

"I'm not ok with this BLMChicago! I'm Jewish and I have coached college basketball for over 40 yrs. I don't think most of my coaches and players are ok with this either! Murderers flew hang gliders into Israel and slaughtered 1000 innocent civilians."

"This picture you have tweeted is a depiction of that genocide. Hamas wants Jews Dead! That is it, that is all! Is that what BLMChicago wants? I pray that is not the beliefs of the Black Lives you represent!"

In some quarters, The Auburn Tigers coach is hailed as a hero due to his stance while he is vilified by others.