The Rev. Jesse Jackson, invoking past alliances and biblical imagery, issued a strong appeal here last week for reconciliation between Jews and African-Americans.
The black leader and former presidential hopeful, who has offended many Jews through an ethnic slur and pro-Palestinian statements, urged 400 guests attending a May 11 American Jewish Committee awards dinner to help heal racial divisions in the United States and the world.
Reminding his audience of the common sacrifices by blacks and Jews in the civil rights struggle, he proposed a joint effort to create an “American investment bank” to help poor communities and create new jobs.
“Tonight we are called to reason, to shift from racial and religious battlegrounds to economic common ground and higher ground,” Jackson said.
“The cause is to move beyond racism, sexism, elitism, anti-Semitism, anti-Arabism, anti-Hispanicism, to move beyond ancient fears and prejudices,” he added.
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