On the occasion of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president and in commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Democratic Majority for Israel President & CEO Mark Mellman released the following statement:

“Today, as Donald Trump is sworn in as our 47th president and we honor the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we commend the peaceful transfer of power— a cornerstone of our democracy— and reflect on the lessons and vision of Dr. King’s teachings of nonviolence and equality.

“We also recall the events of January 6th, four years ago, when violent extremists, at the urging of then-President Trump and his allies, assaulted the Capitol in one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. We are grateful that Congress was not bowed or broken, despite the attempted coup.

“We can honor Dr. King’s legacy by continuing to advocate for a more just and equitable America as well as by rejecting extremist ideologies, hatred and bigotry at home and around the world.

“Let us also remember that Dr. King was a supporter of Israel. His words remind us of his vision:

‘Peace for Israel means security and that security must be a reality.’ We believe that today, Dr. King would be pleased to see the progress of the ceasefire agreement after 15 months of a war that started after unprovoked terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel.

“As we also reflect on President Biden’s tenure, we honor his enduring legacy of leadership, his unwavering belief in the power of democracy, and his steadfast commitment to the success of America’s allies. Democratic Majority for Israel extends its deepest gratitude to President Biden for his remarkable service to our nation and to the world.”

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