It’s MLKjr Day; his words still ring true:
“…You declare, my friend, that you do not hate the Jews, you are merely ‘anti-Zionist.’ And I say, let the truth ring forth from the high mountain tops, let it echo through the valleys of God’s green earth: When people criticize Zionism, they mean Jews–this is God’s own truth.
“Antisemitism, the hatred of the Jewish people, has been and remains a blot on the soul of mankind. In this we are in full agreement. So know also this: anti-Zionist is inherently antisemitic, and ever will be so.
“My friend, I do not accuse you of deliberate antisemitism. I know you feel, as I do, a deep love of truth and justice and a revulsion for racism, prejudice, and discrimination. But I know you have been misled–as others have been–into thinking you can be ‘anti-Zionist’ and yet remain true to these heartfelt principles that you and I share. Let my words echo in the depths of your soul: When people criticize Zionism, they mean Jews–make no mistake about it.”
[From M.L. King Jr., “Letter to an Anti-Zionist Friend,”
Saturday Review XLVII (August 1967), pg. 76.]
Unfortunately, the letter may not:
[http://www.jewish-history.com/mlk_zionism.html]
…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.
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 öLetter to an anti-Zionist friend.ä
U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who worked closely with Dr. King shares Dr. Kings views on Israel, views which stressed Israels democratic nature and Israels need for security. And he also relates that Dr. King said, öWhen people criticize Zionists they mean Jews, you are talking anti-Semitism.ä
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. Kings 1968 Harvard University appearance, so that no one will think it is from the debunked öletter.ä
