*Historic delegation of 500 African American and African Christian leaders to visit Israel: “Continuing the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”*
Today (Wednesday, November 4), a press conference was held ahead of the arrival in Israel of a historic delegation organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the name *Unfinished Business Pilgrimage*, comprising approximately 500 African American and African pastors and Christian leaders. Led by the Black Christian Leadership Council on Israel Relations, the delegation seeks to fulfill a historic vision: *the visit to Israel by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which was planned for 1967 but never took place following his assassination*. The delegation will be joined by *75 Christian leaders from ten African countries*, *a group of American rabbis arriving to mark the Jewish-Christian partnership*, and *religious influencers with millions of followers*.
At the press conference, the delegation's leaders, Pastors Dumisani Washington and Dr. Michael A. Stevens, spoke about the importance they attach to visiting Israel at this particular time. They explained that the delegation seeks to express its support for Israel, gain firsthand familiarity with the reality on the ground, and share the stories of the October 7 events, the war, and life in Israel with their communities in the United States and Africa.
Pastor Washington emphasized that the current delegation is the first step in a long-term process, noting that *the goal is to bring approximately 5,000 pastors next year*, with the aim of deepening and expanding ties between Israel and the African American Christian community.
During the press conference, three certificates of recognition were presented to Israelis whose personal stories reflect the events of the war and their consequences: *Hila Abir, whose brother, Lotan, was murdered at the Nova music festival*; *Elkana Bohbot, who survived 738 days in Hamas captivity;* and *Daniel Lischinsky, the father of Yaron Lischinsky, who was murdered in the terrorist attack in Washington alongside his partner, Sarah Milgrim*, Both worked at the Israeli Embassy in Washington. Alongside the certificates of recognition, the three received commemorative pomegranates containing videos documenting the stories of Lotan, Yaron, and Elkana.
*On Monday, a special event will be held in honor of the delegation, during which Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar will deliver remarks*. Delegation members will also take part in *special events as part of the Jerusalem celebrations of the Sigd holiday*. In addition, a *group photograph of the delegation members is planned to take place on Martin Luther King Street in Jerusalem*, as a tribute to his vision and legacy.
Ambassador Tammy Ben-Haim welcomed the delegation members on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and emphasized the longstanding relationship with members of the Council, as well as the importance Israel attaches to fulfilling the dream of bringing such a large delegation of African American religious leaders to Israel, in a first-of-its-kind visit.
Photo credit Silvia G Golan
