On the Antisemitism of Louis Farrakhan
From "Zionism & the Black Church"
The following is an excerpt from the book, Zionism & the Black Church chapter five, Anti-Zionism: Hatred for Israel.
Today, antisemitism and anti-Zionism within the Black community have a very loud and increasingly influential voice in Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam since 1978. Farrakhan’s mentor was Elijah Muhammad, Nation of Islam leader from 1934 to 1975. According to Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, Louis Farrakhan is “quite possibly the most popular anti-Semite in America.” The growing influence that Farrakhan has on some of the most powerful Black leaders in America is an ominous sign. Consider Farrakhan in his own words:
I want to disabuse the Jews today of the false claim that you are “The Chosen of God,” and that Israel, or Palestine, belongs to you; I want to disabuse you of that . . . And I'm going to tell you about your future: You, that think you have power to frighten and dominate the peoples of the world. I am here to announce the end of your time. [1]
The Jews talk about “never again.” . . . You cannot say “Never again” to God because when he puts you in the oven, you're in one indeed! . . . “Never again' don't mean a damn thing when God get ready for you!”[2]
“So when they talk about Farrakhan, call me a hater, you [know] what they do, call me an antisemite. Stop it, I’m anti-termite.” [3]
“Those who call themselves ‘Jews,’ who are not really Jews, but are in fact Satan: You should learn to call them by their real name, ‘Satan;’ you are coming face-to-face with Satan, the Arch Deceiver, the enemy of God and the enemy of the Righteous.” [4]
The following is the conclusion of Louis Farrakhan’s sermon in Chicago’s Mosque Maryam on Sunday, July 3, 2012:
Farrakhan: How many of you are lawyers? Only have one in the house? No wonder we go to jail so much, brother! But at the top of the law profession, who are the top in law?
Audience: Jews.
Farrakhan: Sorry I didn't hear you.
Audience: Jews!
Farrakhan: Any doctors in the house? Ain't got no doctors? Oh there's one way in the back. At the top of the medical profession, the top in that are members of the Jewish community. Anybody in media? Who's the top in that field?
Audience: Jews.
Farrakhan: Anybody a rapper in the house? There's rappers. You can rap, ain't nothing wrong with that, but at the top of that are those that control the industry. Any of you have Hollywood ambitions, Broadway ambitions? Who's the top of that?
Audience: Jews.
Farrakhan: Same people! They're masters in business. Well I'm not a businessman I'm a banker. Well who's the master of the bankers?
Audience: Jews.
Farrakhan: TALK TO ME!
Audience: Jews!
Farrakhan: You don't discredit them because they're masters, you discredit them by the way they use their mastery.
Audience: [applause][5]
Louis Farrakhan delivers these Jew-hating speeches in rooms with thousands of loyal followers and has done so for decades. Again, some of his followers, admirers, and associates are among the most prominent Black men and women in America. These men and women include entertainers and rappers, politicians, congressional lawmakers, professional athletes, and well-funded activists. In his 2018 Commentary article, The Rise of Black Anti-Semitism, author Jamie Kirchick illustrates the point of Farrakhan’s prominence among the Black American elite.
In January, a long-hidden photograph was published showing Barack Obama smiling with Farrakhan at a 2005 Congressional Black Caucus reception. A member of the CBC, Andre Carson, later admitted to holding a meeting with the Nation of Islam leader in 2015. Farrakhan claimed that Keith Ellison—current deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee [now Minnesota Attorney General]—was also present at the meeting, a claim Ellison denies. But given Ellison’s record of misleading statements on his relationship with Farrakhan and the NOI, there is no reason to trust him on this question.[6]
Again, Louis Farrakhan enjoys the company and praise of very powerful Black leaders. At [now 89] years old, he has never been more formidable. What’s more, Black criticism of Farrakhan’s hate-filled rhetoric for Jews is sparse and dwindling. Though he does not speak for the majority of Black Americans, Farrakhan’s open Jew-hatred goes virtually unopposed in the Black community—this must change.
In a May 2008 article, Dr. King’s attorney and friend, Dr. Clarence Jones, stated:
Martin was disheartened that so many blacks could be swayed by Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Islam and other black separatists, rejecting his message of nonviolence and grumbling about “Jew landlords” and “Jew interlopers” – even “Jew slave traders.”
The resentment and anger displayed toward people who offered so much support for civil rights was then nascent. But it has only festered and grown over four decades [since Dr. King’s death]. Today, black-Jewish relations have arguably grown worse, not better.
For that, Martin would place fault principally on the shoulders of black leaders such as Louis Farrakhan, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson – either for making anti-Semitic statements, inciting anti-Semitism (including violence), or failing to condemn overt anti-Semitism within the black community.[7]
[1] From “Farrakhan Speaks: Saviours’ Day,” [Address] by L. Farrakhan, 2017, Saviours’ Day 2017 Convention.
[2] From Farrakhan’s address at the People Organized and Working for Economic Rebirth (POWER) Los Angeles Forum, 1985.
[3] From Farrakhan’s address at the 23rd anniversary of the Million Man March, 2018.
[4] From “Have no fear for the future: The future is ours!” by L. Farrakhan, 2017, Saviours’ Day Convention.
[5] From “Farrakhan rants about Jewish control during Sunday sermon,” by Algemeiner Staff, 2012, The Algemeiner (https://www.algemeiner.com/2012/07/03/farrakhan-rants-about-jewish-control-during-sunday-sermon-video/).
[6] From “The rise of black anti-semitism,” by C. Gershman, 2018, The Commentary (https://www.commentarymagazine.com/articles/james-kirchick/rise-black-anti-semitism/).
[7] From “Martin Luther King would be repulsed by black anti-Semitism,” by C. B. Jones and J. Engel, 2008, Jewish Press(https://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/opinions/martin-luther-king-would-be-repulsed-by-black-anti-semitism/2008/05/07/).