MLK’s Daughter Clarifies His Stance on Israel and Gaza

Comedian Amy Schumer recently shared a video on social media featuring clips of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. speaking in support of Israel and denouncing antisemitism. However, MLK’s daughter, Bernice King, felt the need to clarify her father’s stance on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

In a thread on the social media platform X, Bernice King addressed Schumer directly, stating that her father was indeed against antisemitism, but he also believed that militarism, along with racism and poverty, were interconnected evils. Bernice King believed her father would call for an end to Israel’s bombing of Palestinians, the release of hostages, and a pursuit of true peace and justice.

The video shared by Schumer featured Martin Luther King Jr. expressing his belief that Israel has a right to exist and is a great outpost of democracy in the world. He also strongly condemned antisemitism, calling it wrong, unjust, and evil. Schumer has been vocal in her support of Israel throughout the ongoing conflict, calling for the release of hostages and providing information about the war.

Bernice King responded to Schumer’s tweet by sharing a different clip of her father talking about “moral power” and the importance of withdrawing from the Vietnam War. She recommended that Schumer read her father’s book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” as a means of gaining a deeper understanding of his beliefs.

In her tweet, Bernice King emphasized the need to not diminish or dehumanize one another, especially in the pursuit of justice and freedom for all. She expressed her solidarity with all those affected by the conflict and reminded everyone that humanity should strive to eliminate the interconnected evils of racism, poverty, and militarism.

According to Israeli officials, since the October 7 terrorist attacks, 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, and 240 individuals are being held hostage. In Gaza, more than 1 million people have been displaced, and Palestinian health officials report over 8,700 deaths.

In this complex and ongoing conflict, it is vital to consider diverse perspectives and engage in productive dialogue towards a just and peaceful resolution.