A state senator from Michigan has expressed regret to her Muslim and Arab constituents for traveling to Israel recently with other lawmakers. Sylvia Santana, who represents a region that includes Detroit,
The apology was shared on social media in Dearborn, which has a significant population of Arab Muslims, as well as Dearborn Heights. “I recognize that many in the Arab and Muslim communities are upset and disappointed by my presence on this trip,” she stated.
“For this, I truly apologize, seek your forgiveness, and hope that you will understand that I had no malicious intent. There is no perfect combination of words that I can offer that truly reflects the feelings in my heart. My only goal was to learn about this region of our world and to improve my understanding of matters related to Michigan.”
The trip, according to Santana, is “an annual opportunity for state legislators to learn more about Michigan’s relationship with Israel.” David Kurzmann, a representative of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, confirmed in a statement to the Detroit Free Press that the federation helped arrange the trip for a number of legislators.
The trip happened at the end of July, according to a Facebook post by Osama Siblani, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Dearborn-based Arab American News. He claimed that after the trip was made public, a meet and greet scheduled for August 7 at the Arab American-owned Custard Company in Dearborn was postponed.
To put it mildly, Siblani stated that the news of Santana’s trip to Israel “shocked and incensed the Arab American community.” The Arab American community, which has supported and treated the Senator with dignity, has been hurt by Santana’s visit. Santana shares a district with Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, whose antisemitic and anti-Israel comments have drawn criticism.
Tlaib recently spoke at a Detroit art show, where she called for the eradication of Israel. It’s crucial for parliamentarians to visit the Jewish state, according to Rabbi Asher Lopatin, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council for the metro Detroit area, who spoke to CBS News Detroit.
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