Pastor Dumisani Washington is the founder of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel, established in the United States in 2013 to help bridge the gap between Jews and African Americans, and between Israel and Africa. On Tuesday, he was the keynote speaker at the European Jewish Association’s annual event at Auschwitz. Following that appearance, he spoke with Israel Today about the ongoing war in the Holy Land.
Israel Today: In Israel we are facing a bloody war on multiple fronts. But it seems the international media war is even more dangerous.
Pastor Washington: I don’t know if it’s more dangerous, but the two are certainly interconnected. It’s interesting that the same Muslim Brotherhood fighting Israel kinetically is also controlling the narrative journalistically. For example, The New York Times publishes articles by the mayor of Gaza, a Hamas member. Major newspapers run misleading headlines such as “Genocide in Gaza” or “Genocide in Lebanon,” portraying Israel as blocking food and aid as factual news. This only fuels more hatred against Jews in the US and the Western world.
This type of propaganda isn’t new, but it’s spreading. What used to be confined to fringe media outlets is now standard on CNN and MSNBC, which is outrageous.
What’s your perspective on Donald Trump’s political comeback? Could he and Benjamin Netanyahu reshape the Middle East together?
Absolutely. We fully expect both to renew what they started in 2016. For us as Americans, Trump’s presidency was the most pro-Israel, the most Zionist presidency ever. The Abraham Accords, Israel’s security, recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, cutting funding to UNRWA, and passing the Taylor Force Act that stopped aid to the Palestinian Authority—we have the numbers. The level of violence against Israel dropped during Trump’s presidency.
The Iranian regime was brought to its knees—almost destroyed. As a result, the people were encouraged, believing that Trump’s economic policies would lead to the collapse of the Ayatollah regime. It was clear that when Obama allowed Iran to receive billions of dollars—including through drug sales—it strengthened the regime and fueled the terrorism that spread. Biden is the same. Trump imposed sanctions on Iran. Biden lifted the sanctions, and we saw violence long before October 7. There was already violence—some called it a third intifada. The reason was that millions of dollars flowed to Hamas, money that should never have been sent.
The level of violence and attacks against Israelis dropped during Trump’s presidency. When Biden came back, they skyrocketed. Just last week, Biden released $220 million to the Palestinian Authority.
How do you explain the solidarity between parts of the African American community and the Palestinian cause, despite historical connections between Black and Jewish communities in the US?
First, it’s important to note that this isn’t reflective of the entire Black community – it’s the vocal minority. Anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian voices are often found in academia and extreme left-wing political spaces, not the broader Black community. For example, figures like Dr. Cornel West, who blamed Israel for genocide in Gaza, do not represent the Black community’s stance. His views align more with Hamas supporters than the majority of Black Americans.
What’s the root cause of the historical hatred against the Jewish people?
As a pastor, I’ll address this from a biblical perspective. In the book of Exodus, we have the first example of organized national hatred against the Jews. What was Pharaoh’s rationale? It was illogical. He said, “The Hebrews might one day rebel against us, so let’s act against them.” These are the original “Protocols of the Elders of Zion.”
The Torah states that they prospered and grew in numbers. Then Pharaoh saw that the Jews were multiplying. They posed no threat to him and had done him no harm. Yet, the text says a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph. If it weren’t for Joseph, there would have been no Egyptian kingdom.
What’s happening today mirrors that. Jews win Nobel Prizes, but no one talks about that. Instead, they say the Jews only cause trouble. Pharaoh rose and said, “These Jews are too many and might overthrow the monarchy.” The Torah doesn’t say the Jews plotted anything; they did nothing wrong. This is systematic hatred without any justification.
Even in Genesis, when Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt, he was the ruler. The Egyptians didn’t sit with them because they wouldn’t eat with Hebrews, as they were shepherds.
This is all from the Bible. God told Abraham, “I will make you the father of nations.” Ishmael and Isaac fought wars. Who descended from Ishmael? The Arabs. Who descended from Isaac? The Jews. And since then, they have been in conflict. These are biblical matters—it’s spiritual, it’s biblical.
Some argue that the “Chosen People” concept can be perceived as racial arrogance or supremacy. Could this contribute to animosity toward Jews?
For some people, yes. One of my favorite scenes in the Daniel Craig movie Defiance is when the Jews are in the forest, and there’s a ceremony. A rabbi is there, and he prays, saying, “God, take back the choice of us being chosen because we are suffering.” And we understood why he said that. The burden is heavy. People say, “You are arrogant.” But they simply don’t understand.
The Jews didn’t ask for this. Abraham and Moses didn’t go to God and say, “Choose us.” Those who understand this—even Christians—I tell them, “If you have a responsibility, you didn’t ask for it. And with responsibility comes a heavy price.” The sacrifice, the price you have to pay, being the individual who has a leadership role.
God says, “You are the chosen ones—I will show the world who I am through you. You will represent Me in the world.” Of course they will be called arrogant. People will ask, “Who appointed you?” God appointed you. For some people, because of their own insecurities, they see this as negative.
Do you see evidence of God’s power in Israel’s current conflict?
Absolutely. This is another example of biblical proportions—Israel is fighting a seven-front war. You have Russia and China funding the efforts. Many nations are aligned against Israel. And what has happened? Hezbollah is almost completely destroyed. Hamas is defeated.
The war comes at a heavy cost to my Jewish friends. We know the numbers of casualties and injured are rising. But the Jewish people are strong. And it is a reminder that “He who watches over Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.” God is the one who protects Israel. The 300 missiles and drones that Iran fired at Israel were intercepted at a 99% success rate. Even secular Israelis are saying it’s a miracle. It is divine providence.
The Israelis are the most innovative and creative people in the world—add to that those who pray, and it’s a combination that won’t lose. There have been many casualties in the war. We’ve reached 800 IDF soldiers since October 7, in Gaza and Lebanon. I in no way minimize the tragedies my friends endured on October 7, the civilians who were killed, the soldiers who died, or the brave soldiers fighting now.
When I say that God protects Israel, I am not dismissing the fact that Israelis have died. What I am saying is that Israel is strong, it continues to stand, and it continues to face Iran and all its proxies. This is testimony to the fact that God watches over Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a polarizing figure, both deeply admired and criticized. How do you assess Netanyahu’s leadership and role in shaping Israel’s future?
Show me a leader of Israel in the Bible who was both effective and not polarizing or controversial. King David, Hezekiah, even the religious figures were often controversial and polarizing.
As an American, I can say that in as much as Netanyahu is controversial—when I asked my Israeli friends who they think, at this time in Israel’s history, could be a better prime minister, even those who don’t like Bibi told me they don’t know if such a person exists. Even some of his political opponents would admit that what Israel is going through now is something no one else could successfully lead.
I’m not defending him, but what I’ve seen as an American is a strategic leader during one of the most difficult times. These days for Israel are like the Yom Kippur War. This is an existential threat. We are in unprecedented times.
Many Evangelicals believe we’re living in the “end times.” Do you agree?
I agree. In all my years observing Israel and Africa, I have never seen Orthodox rabbis saying that we are on the path to redemption and the Messiah. I now hear Orthodox rabbis saying that we are on the way to Armageddon. I see Christians saying that this is the return of the Messiah. I have never seen both camps talking about current events as signs leading to the Messiah’s return. For Christians, it is the return, and for Jews, it is the appearance of the Messiah. In my lifetime, I don’t recall Orthodox rabbis and Christian pastors speaking at the same time about the two sides of this same coin. I agree with both. These are the fingerprints of the Messiah.
When looking at modern Israel, do you see parallels between its present reality and its biblical past?
One hundred percent. When you read in the Bible about the Jews being surrounded by their enemies—whether it’s in Zephaniah, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, or any of the prophets—they all spoke about Israel’s enemies and how God protects Israel. They even quote from Psalms. The ayatollahs in Iran are quoting verses from Psalms without even realizing that’s where it’s from.
That’s exactly what is happening now. Hamas says Israel’s days are numbered and that it will be destroyed. Israel’s enemies have been saying this for thousands of years. This should be a powerful testimony. The enemies of Israel today are the same ones that fought against it 3,000 years ago. When our Jewish friends say “Am Yisrael Chai” (The people of Israel live), Christians understand this as a biblical statement, affirming God’s promise to protect Israel.
How do you view modern Israel? Is it a political phenomenon, a historical anomaly, or something else?
It’s all of the above. First and foremost, it is proof of God’s Word. He promised Abraham that Abraham’s descendants would be His forever. His covenant with Abraham is eternal.
What can Israel do to strengthen ties with the African American community?
That’s not Israel’s job. Israel needs to form alliances with African Americans and other pastors who can deliver a strong message to the Black community. From this perspective, Israel needs to connect with Black leaders who stand with Israel.
One of the mistakes that pro-Israel organizations make is that they focus on the fact that someone is Black rather than their ideology. That needs to change. If I’m only concerned with the fact that a person is Black and I recruit them to stand with me, and they are pro-Palestinian, without having a deeper conversation with them, I will only make the situation worse.
How did Israel fail in this regard?
My Israeli friends ask me, “Where are the Christians?” One of my friends said, “We want to know where the Christians are who came to Israel on Israeli funding, ate hummus, and traveled to the Dead Sea.”
My explanation is that they lacked courage. If you take someone on a safari in Kenya, they won’t necessarily love Kenyans. There are pastors who love and are committed to Israel. You failed in selecting the wrong pastors. Any pastor who came to Israel and now stays silent will stand before God and be held accountable.
How has the Church failed in this regard?
October 7 revealed a lot of flawed thinking. It exposed many cowards. If you’re not speaking out now, when will you?
The West failed the Jewish people during the Holocaust. Now, the West is failing the Jews again. October 7 happened on our watch. Look at our colleges and cities—thousands are marching with Hezbollah and Hamas flags and burning Israeli flags.
As a Christian pastor, I think we failed. There may be words, but no actions. Jewish students are being assaulted in schools. Where are the Christians? Where is the level of enthusiasm for Israel we saw before October 7? Yes, we failed.
What approach should Israel now take?
If I were Israel or the pro-Israel Jewish community, I would seek people with a track record or the ability to speak truth to power. They need to defend Israel courageously when Israel needs them. If they sit silently and stay afraid to speak, it won’t help Israel.
Israel has chosen individuals who lack courage. This isn’t about ethnicity. If they are people who stay silent and afraid when I need them, then I have wasted my time with them.
Do you receive threats over your pro-Israel stance?
I have friends in colleges who receive death threats. I don’t receive them—maybe I will, but it won’t change my stance. Not like my friends on college campuses. Some of my colleagues have received death threats.
