African American Christian Delegation Fulfills Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1967 Israel Visit Dream

Hundreds of Christian clergy and members from African communities in the U.S. arrived in Israel on Thursday, fulfilling what they describe as the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for a "religious pilgrimage" to the Holy Land, a plan he never realized.

Earlier this week, leaders of the Black Christian Council for Israel, which organized the delegation, presented certificates of appreciation to Elkana Buhbut, a hostage survivor; Daniel Yishinsky, father of Yaron Yishinsky who was killed alongside Sarah Milgram in a Washington D.C. terror attack; and Hila the victim, whose brother Lotan was murdered at the Nova music festival.

"Dr. King planned this trip with 4,000 African American Christians for November 1967," stated Reverend Domisani Washington, who identifies as a Zionist, at a press conference in Jerusalem. "We know this from correspondence between Dr. King and Prime Ministers David Ben-Gurion and Levi Eshkol." Washington explained that King's correspondence began in January 1967, but the Six-Day War disrupted these plans. "We are still dealing with the consequences of that war, which Israel had the audacity to win and has since been accused of occupying, terms designed to slander Israel. This is of course not true," he added.

According to Washington, Dr. King believed a visit to Israel might be too controversial and decided to postpone it. "He was assassinated on April 4th the following year, so we decided to call this journey 'An Unfinished Business.' We discussed in the council how history could have been different if this trip had happened."

The delegation's ambitious plan is to make pilgrimages to the Holy Land by Black Christian communities a tradition, aiming for hundreds of thousands of participants. The current group includes not only clergy but also influencers, businesspeople, and athletes.

Later next week, the delegation is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and participate in the Sigd holiday celebrations at the Armon Hanatziv promenade. "The rise in antisemitism is the highest ever; you know the numbers, and if anyone needs to stand with Israel and our Jewish brothers and sisters, it is the African American and African community," asserted Reverend Michael Stevens, a long-time and vocal supporter of Israel and a leader of the council.

Stevens highlighted the historical connection between Jews and the African American community, citing Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and noting that two out of three non-black marchers in Selma were Jewish. "We believe there is growing support for Israel within the Black community, and we are witnessing more success in the past year than in all the years before," he said.

King himself visited Israel in 1959 with his wife, touring areas then under Jordanian control, including East Jerusalem, but never visited the State of Israel. His original plan for the Holy Land included delivering sermons on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and near the Sea of Galilee in Capernaum, before proceeding to Jordan. An FBI wiretap revealed King's reluctance to proceed with the 1967 trip due to political fears of supporting Israel. In the recording, the prominent 20th-century Black American leader is heard saying, "I just think it would be a grave mistake. I don't think I could come out unscathed," and asked his associates to postpone the journey.

The leaders of the Black Christian Council are now in a different place. Their connection to Israel and Jewish people is religious, political, and social. "I grew up in the Jewish community and have visited Israel dozens of times. This time, I also brought my husband, who is also a pastor," said evangelist Brandi Gibson proudly to Ha'aretz. "My connection to Israel is deep; I was born near the establishment of the state, and I am committed to this connection."