American Zionist Movement Remembers Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Honors His Statements on Zionism and Israel
(Friday, January 12, 2018) — This weekend, as the United States celebrates the life accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr on the national holiday in his honor, The American Zionist Movement (AZM) proudly remembers the life, the times and the statements of Dr. King on Zionism and in support of Israel.
“In April 2018 shortly after we mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. King we will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel. Therefore, as we reflect on the life of Dr. King and his contributions and accomplishments, we recognize and pay tribute to his connection to Zionism and Israel”, said Richard D. Heideman, President and Herbert Block, Executive Director of AZM.
They continued: “Dr. King was a dreamer, and he is famously remembered for his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, delivered at a moment and in a place where not only the country, but the world heard his message and joined in his commitment to build a better life, and to work for a better day, for all. Theodor Herzl, the founder of our modern Zionist movement in 1897 was also a dreamer who famously proclaimed, ‘If you will it, it is no dream’”.\
In a 2016 article “Was MLK the Herzl of the Americans?” Israel’s Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer stated that “Dr. King understood the moral imperative of Israel and admired Israel’s values”. When Dr. King lived in Chicago in 1966 his home was just blocks from the Theodor Herzl Public School, established in 1914 in the then predominately Jewish community of North Lawndale. The school remains in the neighborhood and at a 2017 event the Herzl School Principal noted that “”We are the living legacy of both Theodore Herzl and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” Rep. John Lewis, a colleague of Dr. King and himself a noted civil rights leader, has also penned an essay entitled “‘I have a dream’ for peace in the Middle East / King’s special bond with Israel”.
In Jerusalem there is a “Martin Luther King Street” with a sign stating that he was an “American Leader and Fighter for Universal Human Rights”. Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King are both memorialized with forests of trees planted in Israel in their memory. Mrs. King and Reverend Martin Luther King Sr. were among the founding members in 1975 of BASIC – Black Americans to Support Israel Committee, which was led by the legendary Bayard Rustin.
On the occasion of the annual national Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday the American Zionist Movement, consisting of 25 national Zionist organizations, representing millions of Americans, is proud to highlight here some of the notable remarks and writings of Dr. King:
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Israel, Zionism and the Jewish People
“Peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all our might to protect its right to exist, its territorial integrity. I see Israel as one of the great outposts of democracy in the world, and a marvelous example of what can be done, how desert land can be transformed into an oasis of brotherhood and democracy. Peace for Israel means security and that security must be a reality”
“When people criticize Zionists they mean Jews, you are talking anti-Semitism.”
“The whole world must see that Israel must exist, and has the right to exist, and is one of the great outposts of democracy in the world.”
“Israel’s right to exist as a state of [with] security is incontestable.”
“I solemnly pledge to do my utmost to uphold the fair name of the Jews — because bigotry in any form is an affront to us all.”
“I cannot stand idly by, even though I live in the United States and even though I happen to be an American Negro, and not be concerned about what happens to my brothers and sisters who happen to be Jews in Soviet Russia. For what happens to them happens to me and to you and we must be concerned.”
AZM thanks all its member organizations, including The Israel Forever Foundation, B’nai B’rith International, Jewish National Fund and Herut North American, as well as David Matlow and Gil Troy, for sharing material on Dr. King.
The American Zionist Movement (AZM), comprised of 25 national Jewish Zionist organizations representing millions of Americans in the World Zionist Organization, works across a broad ideological, political and religious spectrum linking the American Jewish community together in support of Israel, Zionism and the Jewish People
Herbert Block
Executive Director
American Zionist Movement
hblock@azm.org
212-318-6100 x. 6946
