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Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer remained silent on protesters lately chanting, “Death to America” at an anti-Israel protest in her house state, however did weigh in on whether or not President Biden’s dealing with of the war in the Middle East may value him the battleground state in November.
“The state of Michigan is always going to be a close race, no matter what, under what scenario. I will share, though, as I’ve had conversations with people both in my Jewish community and in the Arab American and Muslim and Palestinian community, that a lot of people are hurting right now. A lot of people are one degree of separation from someone who’s lost their lives, whether it was on October 7, or is in the war in Gaza,” Whitmer advised NBC’s “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker on Sunday morning when requested whether or not Biden’s dealing with of the war in Israel may value him Michigan’s vote in the overall election.
“And so I’m trying to keep an open dialogue to stay focused on how we support these beautiful diverse communities here in Michigan.”
BIDEN CAMPAIGN: WE DON’T WANT THE VOTES OF ‘DEATH TO AMERICA’ PROTESTERS IN MICHIGAN
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks to supporters at a rally on the Crofoot Ballroom on November 6, 2022, in Pontiac, Michigan. (Sarah Rice/Getty Images)
Whitmer’s response got here after Welker highlighted to the governor that Michigan has the most important inhabitants of Arab-Americans, and that nationally, polling reveals that lower than 20% of Arab-Americans would vote for Biden as war continues raging in the Middle East.
Earlier this month, viral video circulated on-line displaying protesters at an Al-Quds Day rally in Dearborn chanting, “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.” Whitmer has remained silent on condemning the chants, while the Biden administration condemned “these abhorrent and antisemitic remarks in the strongest terms” in remark to Fox Digital final week.
Local activist Takek Bazzi (Middle East Media Research Institute)
The Biden marketing campaign responded “No” when Fox Digital requested final week whether or not they nonetheless need votes from individuals who chanted on the rally on April 5.
President Biden speaks about inflation and provide chain points in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud additionally publicly denounced the chants, calling them “unacceptable and contrary to the heart” of Dearborn.
Abdullah H. Hammoud, mayor of Dearborn, speaks throughout an interfaith prayer vigil for Aaron Bushnell exterior the Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn, Michigan, on March 3, 2024. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP by way of Getty Images)
“Over the weekend, video emerged of a rally in Dearborn where some attendees were chanting statements that were unacceptable and contrary to the heart of this city,” he mentioned.
Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a member of the House’s left-wing Squad, has declined to condemn the chants, even when confronted by a Fox Business reporter final week.
Most columnists floated Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich., as a superb alternative for Vice President Harris on Biden’s re-election ticket. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Welker didn’t particularly ask Whitmer in regards to the protest earlier this month or the chants, however her lack of condemnation on the matter for greater than every week has resulted in crucial op-eds and outrage from state Republicans.
Fox News Digital reached out to Whitmer’s workplace once more Sunday, asking whether or not she condemns the chants, however didn’t instantly obtain a reply. The governor’s workplace beforehand didn’t return Fox Digital’s different requests for remark as movies of the protest first circulated on-line.
DEARBORN MAYOR SAYS BIDEN CAMP’S TRIP TO MICHIGAN WAS ‘DEHUMANIZING,’ PURELY FOR ‘POLITICAL MEANS’
During her “Meet the Press” look, Whitmer was additionally pressed on whether or not she agrees with some Democrats who’ve described the war in the Middle East as a “genocide” on Gaza, however she declined to weigh in on phrases that “divide us.”
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“I’m not gonna weigh in where I know that a lot of these terms are used to inflame and divide us. I’m gonna stay focused on being productive and hoping that we can have some peace very soon,” she responded.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Lee contributed to this report.
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