We are the most effective way to get your press release into the hands of reporters and news producers. Check out our client list.



Black Pastors Urge Congressional Black Caucus Not to Skip Netanyahu Speech in Open Letter

Contact: Ryan Hughes, Shirley & Banister Public Affairs, 224-723-8688, 703-739-5920

 

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following open letter is released:

 

The Congressional Black Caucus

2305 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

 

To the Members of the Congressional Black Caucus,

 

It is to the great disappointment of the Black Christian Community to discover that Members of the Black Caucus plan to sabotage the speech to Congress of Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.


All Americans should welcome with enthusiasm the thoughts of the Israeli Prime Minister, who leads a nation that has fought for its survival in the Middle East every single day since its founding.


Black caucus members walking out on the Prime Minister violate the principles of freedom of our nation and the Biblical principles by which the black church understands their relationship with the descendants of Abraham.

 

They betray the unique relationship of black Christians, and America in general, to the Jewish people and the state of Israel.

 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was outspoken in his support of Israel and today there is a street named for him in Jerusalem.

 

The civil rights movement was animated by imagery from the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament. Historian Taylor Branch's biographic trilogy about Dr. King's movement are called "Parting the Waters," "Pillar of Fire," and "At Canaan's Edge."

 

The words inscribed on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia – "Proclaim liberty throughout the land to the inhabitants thereof" – are from the book of Leviticus.

 

Welcoming the Israeli Prime Minister is by no means partisan. Two prominent Democrat Senators, New Jersey's Robert Menendez, former chairman of the House Foreign Relations committee, and New York's Chuck Schumer, have co-sponsored a bill, which President Obama opposes, to tighten sanctions on Iran if current talks do not succeed by March 24.

 

The Black Caucus is out of step with black Christians by not welcoming this visitor bringing the "gospel of freedom" from abroad. They should recognize that welcoming Mr. Netanyahu means, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "standing up for what is best in the American dream and for the most sacred values of our Judeo-Christian heritage."

 

We, the undersigned African American pastors, call on you, as members of the Congressional Black Caucus, to listen to the church and the American people. DO NOT walk out of Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech to Congress.

 

Sincerely,

 

Star Parker

Founder & President of Urban CURE

 

Bishop David A. Richey

Gulf Coast Christian Center,

Mobile, Alabama

 

Pastor Levon Yuille

The Bible Church

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Congressional District of Representative John Conyers

 

Pastor Cecil Blye

More Grace Ministries

Louisville, Kentucky

 

Pastor Dexter D. Sanders

Rock Center for Transformation

Orlando, Florida 32804

Congressional District of Corrine Brown

 

Rev. Ralph Chittams, Sr.

Forestville New Redeemer Baptist Church

District Heights, Maryland

 

Pastor Carlton Smith

Antioch Fellowship Assembly

Cleveland, Ohio

Congressional District of Representative Marcia Fudge

 

Pastor Owen Alston

Harmony Ministries

Lakehurst, New Jersey 08733

 

Pastor Stephen Broden

Fairpark Bible Fellowship Church

Dallas, Texas

Congressional District of Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson

 

Pastor Harvey Burnett

New Bethel COGIC

Peoria, Illinois

 

Pastor Corey Tabor

Full Life Community Church

Pflugerville, Texas

 

Pastor James David Manning

ATLAH World Missionary Church

New York City

Congressional District of Representative Charles Rangel

 

Pastor Claude May

Oasis of Hope Christian Church

Detroit, Michigan

Congressional District of John Conyers

 

Pastor Bruce Rivers

CURENET Clergy Council Member

Los Banos, California

 

www.urbancure.org/mbarticle.asp?id=584&title=Black-Ministers-Welcome-PM-Netanyahu-to-Congress