<
https://theconversation.com/martin-luther-king-jr-s-moral-stance-against-the-vietnam-war-offers-lessons-on-how-to-fight-for-peace-in-the-middle-east-220129>
"Since the onset of Israel’s deadly assault on Gaza and the West Bank after the
Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, debates have arisen among historians and media
pundits about Martin Luther King Jr.’s stance on Israel and its conflicts with
Palestinians.
Some claim King was a fierce Zionist and point to his speech on Mar. 25, 1968,
before the annual convention of the Rabbinical Assembly.
“Peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all of our might to
protect its right to exist, its territorial integrity,” King said. “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 almost can be transformed into an
oasis of brotherhood and democracy.”
Others, like American-Israeli scholar Martin Kramer, have pointed to King’s
views on Palestinian rights to their homeland. During a 1967 interview with
ABC News, shortly after Israel launched the Six-Day War against Egypt, Syria
and Jordan and seized control of land in Gaza and the West Bank, King said that
Israel should return Palestinian lands.
“I think for the ultimate peace and security of the situation it will probably
be necessary for Israel to give up this conquered territory, because to hold on
to it will only exacerbate the tensions and deepen the bitterness of the
Arabs,” he said.
As a scholar who researches social movements, racial politics and democracy, I
believe there is a larger story beyond King’s stance on Israel and
Palestinians. That story is on King’s views of war – and his courage to stand
for peace.
This is the story of the anti-war King who understood that violence begets
violence and that the political courage to speak for peace is essential to
democracy."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
