Michigan Democrats split on Israel, Palestinian support

• The region is home to the nation's largest Arab American population and America's only Palestinian congressperson.

Driving the news: Per Axios, at least 900 have been killed in Israel, "a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades," the AP reports.

• The Israeli government formally declared war and gave the green light for "significant military steps" to retaliate.

What they're saying: "As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue," U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat who represents parts of Dearborn and Detroit, said in a statement.

The other side: State Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), who is Jewish, criticized Tlaib's statement, saying it refused to acknowledge "a shocking act of terrorism."

• "Hamas violence is not some mere effect of resistance; it is a primary cause of instability in the region that prevents both Israelis and Palestinians from living in peace without fear," Moss says.

Zoom in: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was heavily criticized after her initial post in reference to the violence that failed to mention any specifics.

• Hours later, she added to her original statement: "There is no justification for violence against Israel. My support is steadfast."

Between the lines: Former state Rep. Abdullah Hammoud, the mayor of Dearborn, first took to Instagram to criticize President Biden's response to the killings before issuing a longer statement in support of Palestinian rights.

• "Ending this violence requires ending the occupation," Hammoud wrote.
• Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed has also made social media comments in support of the Palestinian cause.

The bottom line: Where leaders stand on the issue is a litmus test for voters in the area concerned with Palestinian rights.

• Supporting Israel came with political blowback this summer for state Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), who apologized to her Arab American constituents after visiting Israel.
• "I should have exercised better discretion and engaged in a different protocol with community leaders to seek their counsel prior to the trip," Santana wrote.