Israel Matzav

Ambassador Oren on Martin Luther King

Here are remarks from Israel's ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, about Dr. Martin Luther King, which were made on Monday, Martin Luther King day.

Recently, I had the great honor on behalf of the State of Israel of laying a wreath on the grave of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King in Atlanta, Georgia. On the occasion, I recalled the inspiration this great leader provided to me, growing up on the outskirts of riot-ravaged Newark in the 1960s. My father dedicated his life to building bridges between the Jewish and African-American communities of the city, and for him as well, Dr. King was a sterling example.

Dr. King offered his unequivocal support to the State of Israel. He held Israel’s story as a precedent for the freedom, equality, and national liberation for which African-Americans strived.

On this Martin Luther King Day, we in Israel—home to the Middle East’s only memorial to Dr. King—recall his unflagging courage and undaunted vision of a better world.

יהי זכרם ברוך

May his memory be blessed forever.

Is the black community in the US even aware of the fact that the only memorial to Dr. King in the Middle East is in Israel?

Labels: Martin Luther King, Michael Oren

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:23 AM