Don King, Lover of Israel
His name may be associated with fighting, but when it comes to Israel, boxing promoter Don King is all about the love.
The African American community should learn from the way Jews appreciate their historical struggles, legendary boxing promoter Don King said in Tel Aviv on Monday.
Sporting a sparkling, studded denim jacket and his trademark hairstyle, which is now a little shorter and greyer, the flamboyant King is here as a guest speaker at the Peres Center for Peace’s 10th anniversary event.
The world’s most successful boxing promoter told The Jerusalem Post he had attended many Seder nights and had always been impressed by the way Jewish communities connected to their past.
“I love Israel and I love the Jewish people. I think that their struggle has a great commonality with our struggle,” said King, who rose to fame and notoriety when promoting big names such as Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and even Michael Jackson in the 1970s and 80s.
“I tell many of the blacks they should try to emulate and imitate the saga of the Jewish struggle. They should go to the Seder and ask the Four Questions, not forgetting from where you come from.
“You have to bring [the memory of] slavery back. Let them know what it is. Don’t make slavery a badge of dishonor, make slavery a badge of honor and say never again.”
Amen brother!
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: General
Eh, King is an opportunist. Put him in front of a Hamas audience, he'd be waving Palestinian flags.
I've heard from people involved in Jewish and Israeli causes that King has been a longtime friend of ours, apparently with no strings attached. While King may be an opportunist in certain business dealings, I suggest that you back up your accusation that he's doing the same in his show of friendship with us.
I am no huge fan of King-the-promoter and King-the-businessman but he has been consistent in his pro-American stance (something that can hardly be said of other so-called "celebrities"). He has also long supported various pro-Jewish causes.
You may be right. I was meaning to say, "Take his enthusiasm with a grain of salt."