Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of America’s most eloquent voices for civil rights, for humanity and for peace. Here are memorable quotes about Jews and Israel that contain King’s stirring calls to live up to our potential and to look at others with fairness and warmth.
Jews and African-Americans:
When King was invited to address the American Jewish Committee convention in 1958, he noted the great similarities between Jews and African Americans, who both experienced hatred and prejudice and who worked to overcome that hatred:
My people were brought to America in chains. Your people were driven here to escape the chains fashioned for them in Europe. Our unity is born of our common struggle for centuries, not only to rid ourselves of bondage, but to make oppression of any people by others an impossibility.
Anti-Semitism and racism:
There are Hitlers loose in America today, both in high and low places… As the tensions and bewilderment of economic problems become more severe, history(‘s) scapegoats, the Jews, will be joined by new scapegoats, the Negroes. The Hitlers will seek to divert people’s minds and turn their frustration and anger to the helpless, to the outnumbered. Then whether the Negro and Jew shall live in peace will depend upon how firmly they resist, how effectively they reach the minds of the decent Americans to halt this deadly diversion…. (May 14, 1958 address to the National Biennial Convention of the American Jewish Congress)
Probably more than any other ethnic group, the Jewish community has been sympathetic and has stood as an ally to the Negro in his struggle for justice. (March 26, 1968 address to the 68th annual convention of the Rabbinical Assembly)
Learning from Jewish history:
Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself. The Bible tells the thrilling story of how Moses stood in the Pharaoh’s court centuries ago and cried, ‘Let my people go’. This is a kind of opening chapter in a continuing story. The present struggle in our country is a later chapter in the same unfolding story. Something within has reminded the Negro of his birthright of freedom, and something without has reminded him that it can be gained. (Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963)
It was ‘illegal’ to aid and comfort a Jew in Hitler’s Germany. But I am sure that if I had lived in Germany during that time, I would have aided and comforted my Jewish brothers even though it was illegal. (Letter from a Birmingham Jail, 1963)
Zionism and Anti-Semitism:
On October 27, 1967, just a few months after the Six Day War, King had dinner with students from Harvard University in Boston. Professor Seymour Martin Lipset was present and recalls how one of the students criticized Zionists. King was incensed, saying “Don’t talk like that!” - and continuing:
When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You’re talking anti-Semitism!
The following year, just days before his tragic murder, King addressed an annual Jewish assembly and explained his pro-Israel feelings at greater length. He explained that Israel and Arab states had different conceptions of what constitutes “peace”. Arab states are consumed with inequality and require fundamental changes in their societies before they can feel secure. Israel, in contrast, desires only secure borders and for the world to recognize its right to exist.
Peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all of our might to protect its right to exist, its territorial integrity and the right to use whatever sea lanes it needs. I see Israel, and never mind saying it, 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. (March 26, 1968 address to the 68th annual convention of the Rabbinical Assembly)
Fighting for Soviet Jews:
On December 11, 1966, King addressed 50,000 people in 32 states at demonstrations for Soviet Jews via a telephone hookup. His eloquent words reminded the crowds that they all had a vital responsibility to work to help their fellow Jews who were trapped in the Soviet Union. Here are three quotes from that stirring speech:
We cannot sit complacently by the wayside while our Jewish brothers in the Soviet Union face the possible extinction of their cultural and spiritual life. Those that sit at rest, while others take pains, are tender turtles and buy their quite with disgrace.
The denial of human rights anywhere is a threat to the affirmation of human rights everywhere.
Jewish history and culture are a part of everyone’s heritage, whether he be Jewish, Christian or Muslim.
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the age of 39. His stirring words continue to live on, inspiring us to work towards his vision of a world without hatred, without prejudice. His palpable affection and respect for Israel and the Jewish people can inspire us today.
(33) Kathryn, January 20, 2020 4:26 PM
Excellent
Thank you for capturing MLK’s heart for Israel.
(32) Dr. William G. Anderson- Albany Movement, April 15, 2019 5:27 PM
The message of Dr. King is needed even more today. Blacks and Jews Must stand together.
Hatred, anti-semitism have been brought back from what we thought was dead by Trump and his supporters. We need more like MLK than DT.
(31) Marissa, April 9, 2019 2:13 AM
Confused
I'm so confused. Why would MLK's father take name after Martin Luther of the earlier times??!! He was the biggest anti semite ever! Even has a book about antisemitism....please help me understand this! Just broke me down....
(30) Diane Benzler, January 28, 2019 3:39 AM
Abortion
Is this an okay practice if used to save a woman's life?
Christine Luc, July 20, 2019 4:08 AM
It is legally and morally right in almost every religion and in every country to save the life of the mother over the child in a medical emergency if it’s what the mother decides. No one is going to jail anyone in any state for performing an emergency medical procedure if it’s in accordance with the patient’s wishes.
(29) Michal, January 24, 2019 5:42 PM
King vs. Mandela
Dr. King saw the truth about Israel and the Jewish struggle, which in the end is every decent person's struggle...to survive in the midst of injustice, persecution and hatred. When Mandela died a few years back, I discovered for the first time that he hated Israel. I was shocked. But there is an infamous picture you can Google with Mandela meeting with Arafat, Khadaffi and other terrorists about how to destroy the Zionist State...seriously, I lost all respect for Mandela after that. I will always cherish Dr. King's memory as a truly high and righteous soul and I pray that I meet him one day in the next life so I can thank him for standing up for Israel.
(28) Deborah, January 23, 2019 6:12 PM
Amazing!
Thanks, Yvette. I did not know that he was also concerned for the Soviet Jewish people.
(27) Anonymous, January 23, 2019 2:49 PM
One Law
The King Speech needs recital by the leaders, so the youth can know what,"civil rights", means. This would stop much of the trouble by the ill-bent who try to rally people to oppose themselves. The phrase heard "Don't make an enemy out of a friend." applies.
(26) levi LEMBERGER, January 23, 2019 1:47 PM
Rabbi Atlas taught Martin Luther King Hebrew
I was a member of Young Israel in Hollowood, Fflorida. Rabbi Symour Atlas prayed in that Shul. His father was also a Rabbi in the South. He wrote a biography , The Rabbi with a Southern Twang, which you can get on Amazon. Ocassinally he was asked to give a talk at the Synagogue. I was present when he mentioned that Martin Luther Kink asked him to teach him Hebrew and he agrred to. The only thing he regretted was having to have him through the back door. He mentioned what a fine man he was,
(25) Al Hoffman, January 23, 2019 11:49 AM
Remembrance of where we came from is to make caution.
(24) Matthew G Zatkalik, January 23, 2019 8:02 AM
Powerful Words and Keen Insights
MLKingJr. is quoted as having said: “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice,” King intoned. “Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter” (King, “The Drum Major”). Each time I recall the actions and words of MLKingJr. I also recall someone having said: 'If I ever need a heart transplant operation I want the heart of a racist or bigot. I want a heart that has never been used.'
(23) Thom McCann, January 23, 2019 3:50 AM
Obama made Anti-Semitism socially acceptable
•
PROOF THAT OBAMA MADE LOUIS FARRAKHAN'S AND NATION OF ISLAM ANTI-SEMITISM AND ANTI-ZIONISM SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE
AS WELL THE LIBERAL MEDIA—LIKE THE NY TIMES!
Why didn't The NY Times print the newly found photo in 2005 (covered up for 13 years by the black photographer Askia Muhammed and finally released in 2018), taken at the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC.
Obama also had anti-Semitic members of the Nation of Islam working at his Senate staff headquarters and worked in his office in 2005 in Chicago in his run for the Senate.
We can only imagine what the NY Times would do if it was Trump who just posed with and had a Ku Klux Klansmen on his staff like what Obama did with Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam members.
See the YouTube Fox News video of Tucker Carlson interview with the photographer at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nafhanRZ4lc
Obama, in an interview published about the Paris murders by Vox, the explanatory news site;
“It is entirely legitimate for the American people to be deeply concerned when you've got a bunch of violent, vicious zealots [never calling them "Muslim terrorists"] who behead people or randomly shoot a bunch of folks in a deli in Paris,” about a past hostage crisis at a Paris market.
One wonders what he would have said or done if the “bunch of folks” were Muslims —like himself—instead of Jews.
Is Obama's latent anti-Semitism why he refused to go or send John Kerry to Paris to protest their death while even Palestinian Mohammed Abbas, an anti-Semite, went?
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), said,
“They were not shooting people at random, they were shooting Jews because of their Jewish faith.”
Is Obama a covert anti-Israel, anti-Semite?
Shame on him.
And his supporters and followers.
(22) Adam Gallant, January 23, 2019 1:33 AM
Very good read xxx
Always a friend ✌️?
(21) Shira Levine, January 22, 2019 3:21 AM
Remembering Dr. King Jr
Reading your acticle brought tears to my eyes. I remember Dr. King Jr. in Washington DC and listening to his I Have a Dream speech on TV. It was stirring and I got emotional as I listened.
(20) Bobby5000, January 21, 2019 8:00 PM
MLK Birthday meaning
The critical importance of today is how one man made a profound difference, and how others can do the same. Looking at this as was King good for the Jews, takes a sad and unduly narrow perspective.
There are more than a few similarities between how blacks were treated in the South in 1936 and how Jews were treated in Germany the same year. Each group faced many restrictions on what jobs they could do and where they could go (white's only areas, swimming pools and others, no Juden signs).
With the benefit of hindsight, we can see Americans could and should have done more to eliminate slavery and segregation. One question in holocaust analysis for each of us is whether we are one of the righteous, like the people who at great risk helped Jews or one of the overwhelming majority of Germans and others who said- this is sad, but not my issue, and not my problem.
Briam, January 21, 2019 11:43 PM
Missing the point
Bobby. I agree with you. Blacks and Jews have both been persecuted. My beef is the Jewish people have always helped the black community. Even from the beginning of their civil rites movements. That is the type of people we are. But we have been crapped on in return from them. And also people who risked their lives for the Jews during Hitler are held as hero's. Aish has and article now about Muslims who helped Jews during the war. We don't bite the hand that feeds us. Can the same be said of the black community. And yes maybe it's not all blacks. But judging from the news, the radio, and in my own day to day Interactions I feel most ha e distain for Jewish people
(19) gordon berment, January 21, 2019 6:45 PM
I read with pride and joy and tears for respect and admiration of MLK even more his rooted belief for support Jewish people and dignity for all humanity.
(18) David E Kamins, January 21, 2019 5:00 PM
No comment other than I Love my "Black" brothers is necessary.
I think it is a shame that I need to make a comment about my feelings for my Black brothers. I hope my actions have already made it clear how I feel
(17) Hessel Meilech, January 21, 2019 3:56 PM
Rabbi Hershel and Luther King
Martin Luther King also had a tremendous affection with rabbi Joshua Hershel who marched with him at Selma.
(16) Anonymous, January 21, 2019 2:40 PM
What a better world we would be living in
How much better are world would be if King were alive today. To think that he he was replaced by the con men of Sharpton, jackson & Farrakhan is appalling!
(15) sima cherkas, January 21, 2019 2:37 PM
African American elites join Farrakhan
Unfortunately too many African American elites think their bread is buttered with the likes of Farrakhan, Tlieb, Malloy...The Congressional Black Caucus as well! They believe dumping on Jews now will give them power! Too many American Jews don’t recognize that the far left is using Trump-hatred & “White-men” hatred as a propaganda cover for their true agenda. All the Jews still asleep on the Left should get “oven ready!” It is a battle for survival using Islam to take power & change western culture! American history notwithstanding, Blacks need to spend more time building, not breaking things down! MLK understood this! Jews are not the enemy!
(14) Anonymous, January 21, 2019 4:35 AM
Beautifully inspiring article, I had no idea.
Dr King was a great inspiration to the world. He respected people and respected the Jewish people whom I love and am in the process of converting. This article is very informative and inspiring, I would never have known any of this. Thank-you
(13) Brian, January 21, 2019 3:42 AM
April 4 1967
I originally wrote a comment earlier today. It is the number 2. Now go to Google and punch in MLK April 4 1967 speech. Listen after he speaks about Vietnam then trashes Israel.
(12) Fredric M London, January 21, 2019 3:41 AM
Amen
I wish this message could be spread far and wide, especially in addresses on Martin Luther King Day.
(11) Beryl Newborn, January 21, 2019 12:23 AM
I never new this about MLK He sounds like he was a great man.
Good job
(10) David Lewis Stein, January 20, 2019 10:46 PM
retired Canadian newspaper columnist & novelist
very concerned about Jewish future
(9) Laurence Cohn, January 20, 2019 7:36 PM
Appropriate timing!
It is appropriate to present this article to enlighten the ignorant youth who apparently have no clue about the past let alone what is today!
(8) Anonymous, January 20, 2019 5:23 PM
It’s too bad he was taken from the world before accomplishing his goals
It’s too bad that race relations between Jews and Blacks have deteriorated to today’s level. Our world has so much to learn from Rev King.
(7) john, January 20, 2019 4:40 PM
Enlightening...!
i always appreciate Martin Luther King Jr.’s quotes & one that fits with this article is this one he stated: “One begins to die the moment we become silent about things that matter.” Perhaps you will have more of him in the future.!
(6) Rick, January 20, 2019 4:17 PM
Tool up.
Not a quote per se, but Jews should possess and learn to use firearms. Sadly, as Dr. King learned, there will always be people who don’t accept other people’s right to exist. Under those conditions, firm steps must be taken.
(5) Denise Sawyer, January 20, 2019 3:35 PM
A great man wise in knowing Our God chooses us to bring peace and support the downtrodden
This is so encouraging for Jews and all God’s people. May the words of Martin Luther ring out in our days and May all God’s peoples trust and delight in His Word. I will never forget you or forsake you most assuredly not. Amen
(4) bill morgenstein, January 20, 2019 3:22 PM
Forgetting the lessons of MLK
MLK would be repelled at the Sharptons, Jacksons, Farracraps and the entire black lives movement of today. He had the solution for stopping his people oppression and he also had the solution to help his people thrive. Sadly many either have forgot ton it or they don't care.
(3) Elena solow, January 20, 2019 2:27 PM
Good info
Wish Tamika Mallory knew a little about MLK jr. Instead of being so ignorant about history.
(2) Brian, January 20, 2019 10:40 AM
Which side?
MLK it seems does not know what side of the fence he is. Before going on aish this morning , The Google new of the day has a article about MLK in NY. In 1967 denouncing Israel for taking to much land. He goes on to say that most people are afraid to talk about it because they are afraid to loose funding. But he must speak out. Dr. Miller, in the real world, the black community has no sympathy for the Jews. I live it. Just look at LeBron James singing about Jewish money being kosher. He got that line from a famous rap singer who he called great. The women's movement leaders loveing that Jew hater Louis Farrakan. We as a people just stick our head in the sand.
(1) Nancy, January 20, 2019 10:13 AM
Fast forward to modern day......
Dr. King would have been INCENSED by today's anti Semitisim, He would have been as angry as I am at those women who claim to be feminists and wanted to march. I cannot even utter their names!!