The Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel (IBSI) is an organization that claims to be dedicated to strengthening the relationship between people of African descent and the Jewish people, particularly the state of Israel. 1
Dumisani Washington, a former diversity outreach coordinator for Christians United for Israel, is the founder and CEO of IBSI. 1
Background
The Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel (IBSI) is an organization that claims to be dedicated to strengthening the relationship between people of African descent and the Jewish people, particularly the state of Israel. through education and advocacy. 1 The organization condemns the charge that “Zionism is racism,” and wants to cultivate a mutually beneficial Israel-Africa alliance. 1
Dumisani Washington founded the organization in 2013. 2 The organization gained tax exempt status in 2021. 3
Washington has referenced the alliance between the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel in the 1960s. 2
IBSI praises Israel as a “multiethnic, liberal democracy that is diverse by choice.” 1
Education
The Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel established an initiative called Plan for Education, Advocacy & Community Engagement (PEACE) which aims to teach young, influential Africans and Black Americans to be “IBSI Ambassadors” about the Israel-Africa/Black-Jewish relationship. 4
The “ambassadors” are chosen among Black community activists and pastors to teach what it calls “authentic Black history” that includes the Black church’s connection with Israel and Zionism. 5
PEACE teaches 16 courses about the history of Israel and Jewish-Black relations to young Black Americans. 2
IBSI Founder Dumisani Washington said the concept behind the PEACE initiative was established during the COVID-19 pandemic and racial tensions after the killing of George Floyd. 6
The IBSI hosts public forums, produces digital and print media, and provides educational content. 4
The IBSI takes students on trips to South Africa as well as to Israel. 2
Washington said the South Africa trips are to disprove the accusation that Israel is an apartheid state. Students toured museums and talked to South Africans who experienced apartheid. 2
Opposing Anti-Israel Forces
The Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel entered a policy partnership with the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs to oppose the anti-Israel narrative the groups say has swept across the United States. The groups say the narrative is promoted by the Black Lives Matter movement and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. 7
The IBSI criticizes the United Nations for what it considers an anti-Israel policy. The ISBI also points out that anti-Israel groups such as Hamas condone the trafficking and sale of African slaves. 1
Dumisani Washington denounced two BLM organizations, Black Lives Matter Grassroots and the Chicago Black Lives Matter chapter for posting messages in support of Palestinians immediately after the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack against Israel. He said the groups are supporting “evil beyond description.” 8
Washington has also criticized antisemitism from recording artist Kanye West and NBA player Kyrie Irving. 2
Leadership
Dumisani Washington is the founder and CEO of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel. He was born in 1967 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and grew up in San Francisco and Stockton, California. 2
He is a former diversity outreach coordinator for the Christians United for Israel. While at CUFI, he launched CUFIAfrica. Washington is a pastor and musician, as well as the author of “Zionism & the Black Church: Why Standing with Israel Will be a Defining Issue for Christians of Color in the 21st Century.” He was featured in the 2016 PragerU video, “Why Are There Still Palestinian Refugees?,” which has received millions of views worldwide. He founded the Hebrew Project Artists, a music group that performs gospel music with Hebrew and English lyrics. 1 Washington also created the Mizrahi Project, a film that tells the story of over 850,000 Jewish refugees from North Africa and the Middle East. 2
Joshua Washington is the director of IBSI. He is a composer and recording artist. He lectures on topics such as the historic Black and Jewish relationship and African-Israel relations. 1
References
- “About.” Institute for Black Solidarity With Israel. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://ibsi.org/about
- Glover, Eve. “How is this pastor healing the rift between Black, Jewish communities?” Jerusalem Post. Accessed February 18, 2023. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-731788
- “Black Solidarity with Israel.” ProPublica. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/852640634
- “Institute for Black Solidarity With Israel.” Give Butter. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://givebutter.com/institute-for-black-solidarity-with-israel/about
- “Institute for Black Solidarity With Israel.” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://jcpa.org/black-american-israel-leadership-initiative/
- “IBSI’s P.E.A.C.E. Initiative Seeks to Foster Black-Jewish Synergy With New Approach to Israel Advocacy
Status: Ended.” Combat Antisemitism Movement. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://combatantisemitism.org/campaigns/ibsis-p-e-a-c-e-initiative-seeks-to-foster-black-jewish-synergy-with-new-approach-to-israel-advocacy/
- Kasnett, Israel. “New effort to confront apartheid, anti-Semitism, crisis in Israel-American black relations.” Jewish News Syndicate. July 14, 2022. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://www.jns.org/new-effort-to-confront-apartheid-anti-semitism-crisis-in-israel-american-black-relations/
- Grossman, Hannah. “Black activist says BLM’s support for ‘Palestinian resistance’ after bloodbath against civilians is ‘evil.’” Fox News. October 17, 2023. Accessed January 19, 2024. https://www.foxnews.com/media/black-activist-says-blms-support-palestinian-resistance-after-bloodbath-against-civilians-evil