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Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchirist II delivering his speech.
Taking a public stance that’s likely to create both fans and detractors, Democratic Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, who is running for governor, said Saturday that the Israeli government “is committing a genocide on the Palestinian people” in Gaza.
“This is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of fact,” Gilchrist said in a speech at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee’s national convention in Dearborn that was met with loud applause. “This has been established by global leaders who study genocide. This is not something we should support. American taxpayer dollars should not fund offensive weapons of war while children are starving, while medical resources are being blocked from civilians, and while lineages of families are being erased.”
He also said that candidates should not accept money from those who support genocide. He noted that this is why he will not accept money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), an influential pro-Israel lobbying group.
Gilchrist probably lost nothing by saying that about AIPAC, considering it’s unlikely the organization would have offered him financial support anyway.
A number of international organizations, including the International Association of Genocide Scholars, have concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Conversely, Israel, the Trump administration, and several Jewish organizations have contested that label.
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit issued a response:
"We are deeply disappointed by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist's recent remarks labeling Israel's war against terror organization Hamas a 'genocide' and using his campaign as a platform to vilify support for Israel. Gilchrist promotes an inaccurate and offensive narrative that also omits the horrific attacks of October 7th and ignores those that remain hostage in Gaza."
"This inflammatory language is an attempt to foster divisiveness as a campaign tool. We expect our elected representatives to reject political rhetoric that plays into antisemitic tropes and instead promote peace and understanding among all Michiganders."
The Gaza war began on Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas, the governing group in Gaza, attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping about 250 others. Israel has since killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, which does not break down civilian and military deaths.
The Trump administration is trying to get both sides to commit to a peace treaty, which would include the return of the hostages. Israel believes there are 48 hostages, about 20 of whom are still alive.
