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Dear Jewish-history.com visitor:
We received the following message from the media
watchdog group
CAMERA:
We am sorry to inform you that the “Letter to an
Anti-Zionist Friend” allegedly written by Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., is apparently a hoax.
We were initially doubtful of the authenticity of
the “Letter to an anti-Zionist Friend” because the
language in the first paragraph seemed almost a
parody of language used in Dr. King’s “I have a
dream” speech. And it was an odd coincidence that
the “Letter” was listed as being published in one of
the few magazines whose archives are not able to be
checked online. Additionally, we could find no
reference to the “letter” prior to 1999, which was
odd because the text is such a dramatic denunciation
of anti-Zionism-one that would have been cited
widely.
However, we then found the “letter” in a reputable
1999 book (“Shared Dreams,” by Rabbi Marc Shneier)
whose preface was written by Martin Luther King III.
Since the King family is known to be extremely
careful with Dr. King’s legacy, we assumed they must
have verified the accuracy of the book before
endorsing it.
Additionally, we found that quotations from the
“letter” were used on July 31, 2001, by the
Anti-Defamation League’s Michael Salberg in
testimony before the U.S. House of Representative’s
International Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on
International Operations and Human Rights. The same
“source” (Saturday Review, August 1967) for the
“letter” that was mentioned in the Schneier book was
also cited in the testimony. Since many in the
Anti-Defamation League had actually worked with
Martin Luther King, Jr. in the civil rights
struggle, we assumed again they would be very
knowledgeable about King’s work and would have
thoroughly checked anything they chose to read
before Congress. Based on the apparent verification
of the “letter” by the King family and the ADL, we
sent the “letter” to you on MLK Day.
However, because we do not ordinarily rely on anyone
else’s research, we decided to double-check, by
searching back issues of Saturday Review* (Rabbi
Shneier’s book had referenced the “letter” as being
published in the August 67 Saturday Review). Lo and
behold, there is no such letter in any of the August
issues, nor do the page and volume numbers cited
conform to those actually used by that publication.
CAMERA also checked with Boston University, where
Dr. King’s work is archived. The archivists too were
unable to locate any such letter. We can only
conclude that no such letter was written by Dr.
King. (Please note we are not implying that the
apparently bogus “letter” originated with Rabbi
Schneier.)
Since the message of the letter (Anti-Zionism is
anti-Semitism) was one Martin Luther King, Jr. had
indeed articulated, we can understand why the King
family and the ADL did not feel the need to verify
the “Letter to an anti-Zionist friend.” We at CAMERA
apologize, though, for not looking past their
endorsement when we had initial doubts about it.
This episode is a reminder of the importance of
verifying the authenticity and accuracy of sources,
even when they appear to be solid.
Below is a January 21, 2002 op-ed by U.S. Rep. John
Lewis, who worked closely with Dr. King. In the
op-ed, he shares Dr. King’s views on Israel, views
which stressed Israel’s democratic nature and
Israel’s need for security. And he also relates that
Dr. King said, “When people criticize Zionists they
mean Jews, you are talking anti-Semitism.”
This quotation has been confirmed, so you should
feel assured that you can use the quotation in
letters. Just be sure to mention that it came from
Dr. King’s 1968 Harvard University appearance, so
that no one will think it is from the debunked
“letter.”
The op-ed by Congressman Lewis appears below.
With our sincerest apologies,
Lee Green
Director, National Letter-Writing Group
CAMERA
Monday, January 21, 2002
(San Francisco Chronicle)
“I have a dream” for peace in the Middle East
Martin Luther King Jr.’s special bond with Israel
by John Lewis
THE REV. MARTIN Luther King Jr. understood the
meaning of discrimination and oppression. He sought
ways to achieve liberation and peace, and he thus
understood that a special relationship exists
between African Americans and American Jews.
This message was true in his time and is true today.
He knew that both peoples were uprooted
involuntarily from their homelands. He knew that
both peoples were shaped by the tragic experience of
slavery. He knew that both peoples were forced to
live in ghettoes, victims of segregation.
He knew that both peoples were subject to laws
passed with the particular intent of oppressing them
simply because they were Jewish or black. He knew
that both peoples have been subjected to oppression
and genocide on a level unprecedented in history.
King understood how important it is not to stand by
in the face of injustice. He understood the cry,
“Let my people go.”
Long before the plight of the Jews in the Soviet
Union was on the front pages, he raised his voice.
“I cannot stand idly by, even though I happen to
live in the United States and even though I happen
to be an American Negro and not be concerned about
what happens to the Jews in Soviet Russia. For what
happens to them happens to me and you, and we must
be concerned.”
During his lifetime King witnessed the birth of
Israel and the continuing struggle to build a
nation. He consistently reiterated his stand on the
Israeli-Arab conflict, stating “Israel’s right to
exist as a state in security is uncontestable.” It
was no accident that King emphasized “security” in
his statements on the Middle East.
On March 25, 1968, less than two weeks before his
tragic death, he spoke out with clarity and
directness stating, “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.”
During the recent U.N. Conference on Racism held in
Durban, South Africa, we were all shocked by the
attacks on Jews, Israel and Zionism. The United
States of America stood up against these vicious
attacks.
Once again, the words of King ran through my memory,
“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.”
During an appearance at Harvard University shortly
before his death, a student stood up and asked King
to address himself to the issue of Zionism. The
question was clearly hostile. King responded, “When
people criticize Zionists they mean Jews, you are
talking anti-Semitism.”
King taught us many lessons. As turbulence continues
to grip the Middle East, his words should continue
to serve as our guide. I am convinced that were he
alive today he would speak clearly calling for an
end to the violence between Israelis and Arabs.
He would call upon his fellow Nobel Peace Prize
winner, Yasser Arafat, to fulfill the dream of peace
and do all that is within his power to stop the
violence.
He would urge continuing negotiations to reduce
tensions and bring about the first steps toward
genuine peace.
King had a dream of an “oasis of brotherhood and
democracy” in the Middle East.
As we celebrate his life and legacy, let us work for
the day when Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and
Muslims, will be able to sit in peace “under his
vine and fig tree and none shall make him afraid.”
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