Farrakhan Abruptly Ends Visit To Israel Islam Leader Said He Felt Unwelcome, Unsafe After Unconfirmed Death Threats

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had no clue Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan was coming to Israel until Farrakhan was crossing the Allenby Bridge border from Jordan into the West Bank.

Israeli analysts suggested Monday that Farrakhan had “deceived” Israel by signaling his intention to visit this area around the end of January and then showing up unannounced Sunday before Israel, angered by Farrakhan’s remarks that many perceive as anti-Semitic, had time to set terms for his visit.

Nonetheless, Farrakhan departed Monday as abruptly as he had arrived a day earlier, declaring he felt unwelcome in Israel on his “World Friendship Tour” and feared for his safety after unconfirmed reports of death threats from Jewish extremists.

The evident lack of communication before his visit and the hostility he encountered from many Israelis underscored the resentment Farrakhan has generated among Jews, even though he has moderated his message recently and said he had come on a peace mission.

Farrakhan’s foray into the Holy Land left no doubt where he stands on U.S.-mediated peacemaking in the region. He sent a strong message of solidarity with Palestinians as part of what he says is a 52-nation tour, which includes planned stops in several countries at odds with U.S. policy, including Libya, Iran, Iraq, North Korea and Cuba.

Arriving in the Jordanian capital of Amman, he said at a news conference he had dropped his plans to pray at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third-holiest shrine, after reports he would be greeted by protesters.

Then Farrakhan declared Israel’s security and peace depend on the Palestinians gaining their legitimate rights, including the freedom of worship at Muslim holy sites, a freedom he felt had been denied him.

“What I experienced in minuscule is what Palestinians suffer each and every day of their lives. This is something I did not know,” he said. “I am touched deeply by the pain of the Palestinians, and I do not see how what is going on can lead to peace unless the suffering of the Palestinian people is ended.”