Black Christian leaders form new Israel relations council

A new collective of Black American pastors has launched to strengthen Black Christian support for Israel and oppose antisemitism amid rising global hostility. The group also plans a November Holy Land tour for about 500 pastors and Christian leaders to mark an unfinished pilgrimage tied to Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy.

Why it matters: - The Black Christian Leadership Council on Israel Relations is meant to keep the Black American voice defending Israel and Jewish people visible at a time of rising antisemitism. - The council says it will reinforce a century of Black–Jewish and Africa–Israel solidarity, tying its work to the NAACP, Booker T. Washington, Julius Rosenwald, Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel. - The group will also aim to shape Black Christian engagement on Israel through teaching, coordination and pilgrimages.

What happened: - The Black Christian Leadership Council on Israel Relations announced its formation in Washington. - Founding members are Pastor Dumisani Washington, Pastor Valerie Washington, Dr. Michael A. Stevens, Pastor Reginald Gibson, Dr. Brandy Frances Gibson and Pastor Roger Cheeks. - The council says it was formed as hostility toward Israel grows globally. - The group says it will oppose antisemitism and anti-Zionism and affirm Israel’s right to exist, defend itself and live in peace.

The details: - The council plans to provide oversight and strategic leadership for Black Christian pro-Israel engagement. - It will offer ongoing biblical, geopolitical and cultural teaching and support for Black leaders. - The council will coordinate efforts with Jewish leaders and Israeli officials. - It will lead Holy Land pilgrimages for clergy, families, students and civic leaders. - In November, the council will host about 500 Black American and African pastors and Christian leaders on the Unfinished Business Holy Land Tour. - The tour will mark the 59th anniversary of the mass pilgrimage Dr. King was to lead in November 1967 before it was postponed after Israel’s Six-Day War. - Dr. King was assassinated the next year, and the pilgrimage never happened.

Between the lines: - The council is positioning Black Christian support for Israel as both a faith issue and a civil rights legacy issue. - By linking its launch to Martin Luther King Jr. and earlier Black–Jewish partnerships, the group is trying to place its message inside a familiar historical narrative. - The November tour suggests the council wants visible public action, not just advocacy statements.

What's next: - The council will begin organizing its leadership, education efforts and outreach with Jewish and Israeli partners. - Preparations are expected to ramp up for the Unfinished Business Holy Land Tour later this year. - The council’s public-facing presence is already live on Facebook and YouTube.

The bottom line: - The new council is launching as a faith-based pro-Israel coalition and is betting that Black Christian leaders can play a larger role in the debate over antisemitism, Israel and civil rights.