Martin Luther King’s Daughter Criticizes Amy Schumer’s Use Of Her Father’s Quotes About Israel-Hamas War

Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King, is setting the record straight regarding her father’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict following a Twitter post made by comedian Amy Schumer.

A vocal supporter of Israel, Schumer posted a video of Martin Luther King Jr. stating that Israel “has the right to exist” and that he would “take a stand against anti-Semitism because it’s wrong, it’s unjust and it’s evil.”

His daughter, Bernice, has since clarified some things about her father’s feelings on the conflict.

“Amy: Certainly, my father was against anti-Semitism, as am I,” she said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He also believed militarism (along with racism and poverty) to be among the interconnected Triple Evils. I am certain he would call for Israel’s bombing of Palestinians to cease, for hostages to be released… and for us to work for true peace, which includes justice.”

“He said, ‘Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love,’” she continued. “We have much to correct.”

After posting a video of her father discussing the Vietnam War, Bernice asked Schumer to read one of her father’s books. 

“I encourage you to read Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? I mourn with all who are mourning. I know that we can’t afford to diminish [and] dehumanize each other if we are committed to ridding humanity of the Triple Evils [and] to freedom from oppression for all.” 

King’s statement comes amidst the continuation of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Over 8,000 Palestinians have been reportedly killed due to Israeli bombings and military operations. One thousand-four hundred Israelis have died, most of them murdered during the surprise Hamas attack on October 7.