The CBC is planning to boycott Netanyahu’s speech, because they see it as “disrespectful” to Obama.
As Rep. Hank (“Is Guam Gonna Tip Over?”) Johnson recently stated:
“It’s not just about disrespect for the president, it’s disrespect for the American people and our system of government for a foreign leader to insert himself into a issue that our policymakers are grappling with. It’s not simply about President Obama being a black man disrespected by a foreign leader. It’s deeper than that.”
So, kudos to the good pastors for standing up and speaking out against the CBC plan.
Via Washington Times: Black pastors urge CBC not to skip Netanyahu speech
The message from a dozen prominent black pastors this week to the Congressional Black Caucus was loud and clear: Don’t skip out on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyuhu’s speech.
About two dozen House and Senate Democrats, most of them black caucus members, have said they will not attend Mr. Netanyahu’s speech Tuesday before a joint session of Congress, which one pastor described as a “slap in the face to the people of Israel.”
“The thing to me that makes no sense is why the Congressional Black Caucus has teamed up with this current administration against Israel,” said Pastor Dexter D. Sanders of the Rock Center for Transformation in Orlando, Florida.
“And yes, black caucus, I’m saying you have gone against Israel when you decide to protest the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, from coming and speaking on the behalf of the nation of Israel,” Mr. Sanders said. “That is a slap in the face to the people of Israel, and not only that, it’s a slap in the face to God. And not only that, it’s also a slap in the face of all Bible-believing African-American people in this country.”
…. Pastor Corey Tabor of the Full Life Community Church in Pflugerville, Texas, said that “to intentionally ignore and insult the leader of Israel to make a personal or political statement is irresponsible and immature.”
Well said!
There is a strain of anti-Semitism in the black community, and it seems that Obama has been exploiting this to orchestrate a CBC boycott. Netanyahu must tread carefully, so as not to facilitate the creeping trend of respectable anti-Semitism that is strong in Europe and growing in America.
I think Netanyahu is wise enough to work to make it clear he’s opening the door to America and Obama, rather than closing it. For those that are willing to listen, let it be clear that Obama has picked this fight, not Netanyahu.
It’s mystifying that Jews could ever have had faith in a man whose best friend and mentor (Rev. Wright) was anti-Semitic. While Obama worked with Wright and the Trinity Church, Wright was actively organizing boycotts of and divestment from Israel, and he declared Zionism to be racism. This was all posted on the Trinity Church website; it was cleansed immediately after Obama’s presidential run became serious. Jewish support for Obama is madness.
It’s worth noting that Martin Luther King was aware of this battle and stood with Israel.
I was glad to hear (finally) the leaders in black churches stand up for what’s right. Even if it meant standing against Obama. It is right to stand with Israel. I never thought I’d see the day when our nation’s leader would be against Israel. These are dark days indeed. Before the black community had representation in Washington, our leaders were in our churches (hence, Martin Luther King, Jr.). Make no mistake, this is an open rebuke coming from the church, to the CBC. Let’s see how many show up for the speech.
To those who do, pray for Bibi and the peace of Jerusalem.
Thank God for real Christians who stand up for Israel.
The country is thirsting for real leadership. I blame the Republicans as much as the Democrats for that.
It was gratifying to see the response to Bibi’s speech!