Jesse Jackson Championed Arab Empowerment and the Palestinian Cause

A Legacy of Advocacy and Unity

Washington, DC – Over four decades ago, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson called on the Democratic Party to welcome “the desperate, the damned, the disinherited, the disrespected and the despised.” This included Arab Americans and Palestinian rights supporters, who have faced years of racism, demonization, and marginalization. Advocates in these communities say that Jackson, who passed away at the age of 84, played a crucial role in amplifying their voices throughout his long career.

Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute (AAI), emphasized the importance of Jackson’s influence on Arab American political empowerment. She stated, “I don’t think there’s a way to tell the Arab Americans’ political empowerment story without understanding the path that Reverend Jackson created for us.”

Breaking Barriers in Politics

In 1984, Jackson appointed Arab American activist James Zogby as one of his deputy campaign managers during his presidential bid. Zogby later founded the AAI. Jackson’s campaign also actively engaged with Arab Americans and supported calls for Palestinian self-determination, which was uncommon at the time when unwavering support for Israel dominated U.S. politics.

Berry noted that Jackson consistently refused to pressure Arab Americans to distance themselves from issues related to Palestine. “He understood that the fight for justice was one that had to be done when it was both hard and easy,” she said. “Our country has lost a giant.”

Shaping the Democratic Party Platform

Jackson ran for president again in 1988, winning 13 states, including Michigan and much of the South, in the Democratic primary. Although he ultimately lost the nomination to Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, his campaign brought Palestinian rights into the national spotlight.

Zogby and other Jackson delegates at the Democratic National Convention pushed to include support for Palestinian statehood in the party’s platform. While this effort did not succeed nationally, 11 state parties adopted platforms expressing support for “the rights of the Palestinian people to safety, self-determination and an independent state.”

Jackson’s success in the primary also led to the appointment of Arab-American activist Ruth Ann Skaff to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the party’s executive board. Skaff faced accusations of anti-Semitism due to her pro-Palestinian stance but remained committed to her work.

A Message of Empowerment

Skaff described Jackson as someone who genuinely wanted to empower those without power or who were excluded. She recalled him being humorous and approachable. “We were learning how to organize, how to spread the message and then take it to the next step of being active politically at the very local level. And he guided us and inspired us the entire way,” she said.

Born in South Carolina in 1941 under Jim Crow laws, Jackson was deeply involved in civil rights from a young age. He became a protege of Martin Luther King Jr. and focused on building broad coalitions to demand equal rights.

Building Bridges Across Communities

After his presidential run, Jackson remained closely connected to the Arab community. Hatem Abudayyeh, executive director of the Arab American Action Network (AAAN) in Illinois, praised Jackson for opening doors for Palestinians and Arabs in Chicagoland. “Under his leadership, Black, Latino, Asian, Arab and so many other communities worked together for racial, economic, and social justice,” he said.

Supporting Justice for All

Nabih Ayad, founder of the Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL), highlighted Jackson’s early efforts to bring attention to the Palestinian plight on a national stage. Jackson also advocated for Syrian refugees in 2015, despite opposition from Republican governors.

Ayad described Jackson as a leader who believed in universal justice. “It was an honor to cross his path and be able to see a giant like Jesse Jackson really caring about the little people, the small guys, about injustice wherever it happens, no matter where it is around the world.”

Standing Up for Palestinian Voices

Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH Coalition organized an emergency summit in 2024 to call for a ceasefire during Israel’s war on Gaza. Later that year, he voiced support for pro-Palestine protests on college campuses, praising student leaders as “the best of our nation.”

Matthew Jaber Stiffler, director of the Center for Arab Narratives, said Jackson helped the Arab community feel “seen.” He also noted the political risks of championing Palestinian rights. “Even just saying, ‘I support the rights for Palestinians to exist in the national political sphere,’ could get you branded as a radical,” he said.

Continuing the Fight

Despite progress in making Palestine less of a taboo topic in U.S. politics, major political parties have avoided public support for Palestinian rights. The current administration has also taken actions against Palestinian rights advocates.

Berry believes that while conditions are challenging, Jackson’s legacy teaches the community to overcome barriers and build its power. “I think that the lessons and the legacy of someone like Reverend Jackson teaches us that this is work that has to be done.”

Skaff added that Jackson wanted Arab Americans to stand up and make their voices heard. “We’re stronger when we’re united and when we exercise our rights and responsibilities as American citizens: to stand up, to speak out, to run for office, to vote, vote, vote, vote.”