Published
5 years agoon
Fresno Center for Nonviolence flyer about Jerusalem protest.
So, Israel has the right to exist, but not the right to defend herself?
King believed Israel had that right. Ten days before his assassination, MLK addressed questions at a rabbinical conference on March 25, 1968. One scholar asked about anti-Semitism and the “Negro community.” King responded:
“Peace for Israel is one thing. Peace for the Arab side of that world is another thing. Peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all of our might to protect its right to exist, its territorial integrity. 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 almost can be transformed into an oasis of brotherhood and democracy. Peace for Israel means security and that security must be a reality.”
Yes, passions run deep. To many, this conflict is a zero-sum game: You are either with Israel, or against it; either with the Palestinians, or against them. Forget any middle ground.
There is a belief that an attack on Israel and the concept of Zionism (the Jews’ right to a homeland in Israel) is rooted in anti-Semitism.
Look at college campuses, even Fresno State. There, the “BDS” (Boycott, Divest, Sanction) movement finds support. It targets Israel because of its perceived mistreatment of the Palestinians. Yet, many countries with much worse and real human rights violations (Ni Hao, China) aren’t included. Why?
“When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You are talking anti-Semitism,” King famously said.
Back to Fresno. The MLK Unity Committee of Fresno will hold a vigil and awards ceremony Friday night at City Hall.
The committee plans to honor Fresno Unified School District Trustee Cal Johnson and State Center Community College District Trustee Miguel Arias for outstanding service to the community.
One other group will receive a commendation: the Fresno Center for Nonviolence.
It is true, the center does many things that line up with Dr. King’s vision of peace and nonviolence.
Just not on Zionism.
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email
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