### Asmongold Encounters Twitch Suspension and Resigns from Leadership Positions After Controversial Statements on Gaza Situation
**Update from October 17:** Well-known streamer Zack Hoyt, famously known by his online persona “Asmongold,” has become the focus of significant controversy following his provocative comments regarding Palestinians and their culture. These statements, widely regarded as racist and cruel, resulted in a temporary suspension from Twitch affecting his secondary account, “zackrawrr.” While his primary account remains operational, Twitch’s rules prevent streamers from evading bans via alternate accounts, effectively suspending his streaming endeavors for the moment.
In light of the backlash, Asmongold released a 20-minute video apologizing, during which he declared his resignation from leadership positions at the streaming entity **OTK (One True King)** and the gaming PC firm **Starforge Systems**. These actions are taken amidst escalating public backlash and demands for accountability.
### The Apology and Resignation
In his video of apology, Asmongold conveyed remorse for his behavior and recognized his need for personal development. He stated:
> “I need to sort myself out. I need to gain control over my mind. I need to get my life in order. It’s insane. I think about it—it’s all just a mess. Everything in my life is pretty much a disaster.”
He elaborated on his choice to resign from his leadership roles at OTK and Starforge:
> “I’m stepping away from my leadership role at OTK and Starforge and other commitments. They don’t oppose it—they appreciate it, and I want to make this choice. I’m doing this not just for them, but primarily for myself, so I can become a better version of myself.”
Beyond resigning from these roles, Asmongold also discussed his intentions to refresh his streaming content once the ban is lifted:
> “My goal is that when I’m unbanned, I’ll return to streaming frequently, and I want to concentrate more on having fun and enjoying laughter with people rather than at their expense. It’s about perspective, and it’s about demeanor.”
He acknowledged that after reflecting on the clip in which he made the contentious comments, he recognized how poorly he conveyed his message:
> “I listened to my tone in that clip and I just sounded terrible. I don’t want to be that person anymore.”
### What Resulted in the Ban?
The scandal originated from comments Asmongold made during a stream regarding the ongoing turmoil between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The conflict, which intensified following a Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, has led to thousands of fatalities, with the United Nations reporting over 40,000 Palestinians—many women and children—having died in retaliatory attacks.
Asmongold’s statements faced widespread condemnation for their insensitivity and dehumanizing tone. He labeled Palestinians as “horrible people” and deemed their culture as “inferior.” He also voiced a lack of compassion for the conflict’s victims, asserting:
> “I don’t give a damn about that [Editor’s note: referencing the genocide concerns and the people residing in Gaza]. They are terrible people. This isn’t even a debate. It’s absurd that people don’t perceive it this way. They would do the same.”
He further stated:
> “These individuals are not your friends. They are not like us. They arise from a culture that is inferior and dreadful. They kill people based on who they are, and it directly contradicts everything that Western values represent; it is an inferior culture in every respect. It’s that straightforward. No, I feel no regrets for them, I have no compassion for them, and I don’t care.”
Such comments evidently breached Twitch’s regulations, which forbid racist, prejudicial, and hateful discourse. The platform quickly reacted by imposing a 14-day ban on his secondary account, thus preventing him from streaming on any account during this time.
### Public Outrage and Reaction
Asmongold’s comments ignited rage across social media, with numerous influential figures in the streaming and gaming community denouncing his statements. Personalities like **hbomberguy**, **M1das**, and **Hasanabi** were among those who criticized the streamer for his callous remarks.
In an effort to address the situation, Asmongold shared a brief message on **X (formerly Twitter)**, admitting that he had overstepped:
> “Looking back, I was excessively harsh regarding the Palestine matter. My mistake. Naturally, no one should endure life destruction even if they hold views I consider regressive. You all deserve more than me uttering such foolishness; I will strive to do better.”