Michigan state senator apologises for sponsored trip to Israel

A state senator from Michigan has apologised to her constituents after travelling on a sponsored trip to Israel.

The annual trip, sponsored by the Michigan Jewish Federation, hosts state lawmakers for what Sylvia Santana said she understood to be an opportunity for them to learn about Michigan's relationship with Israel. 

Following backlash from her constituents, she issued a written apology last week on her social media accounts, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

"It has come to the attention of my constituents, specifically those in the Arab/Muslim community, that I recently visited Israel in my capacity as a state senator," wrote the state senator, whose district includes all of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, as well as parts of Detroit, which are all home to significant populations of Arabs and Muslims. "This is a trip offered to state lawmakers to learn more about Michigan's relationship with Israel."

She continued, "After speaking with friends and members of the community, I recognize my presence on this trip has sparked anger and disappointment by many in the Arab/Muslim community. 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."

Responses to her statement have been mixed. Many wrote back to her post, calling her antisemitic or saying she was caving to pressure from her constituents. Others, particularly those from her own district who spoke out about her trip, expressed disappointment in her decision to take the sponsored trip, pointing to Israel's current right-wing government and the large community of Arabs and Muslims she represents as a lawmaker.

"You have many friends in the Arab American community that you could have talked to before committing to this trip and we could have talked to you about many reasons why you should not have taken this trip," said Hussein Dabajeh, legislative director for Wayne County Commissioner Sam Baydoun, according to a report by the Dearborn-based Press & Guide. "You have no actual idea how big of a deal this trip actually was to half your constituents."