YouTuber and streamer IShowSpeed, who previously voiced support for Palestinians, gave a short interview to Kann reporter Uri Levy during halftime of the France-Senegal match at the World Cup in the United States. Levy asked whether Speed had a message for viewers and fans in Israel.
Speed, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr., first asked for clarification about whom the question referred to. After being told it meant Israel, he replied, "We appreciate all my fans there. Thank you all. I appreciate you very much."
The clip quickly spread across social media, in part because Speed has publicly supported Palestinians before and has often been heard saying "Free Palestine" during his streams. He is now one of the most prominent figures online, with more than 55 million YouTube subscribers, tens of millions of Instagram followers, and a reputation as one of TikTok’s most popular creators.
The attention around him at the tournament only increased interest in the exchange. Social media users suggested Speed may not have realized he was speaking to an Israeli media outlet when he gave the interview.