DEARBORN, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – American Muslim and Arab voters helped President Donald Trump win the state of Michigan during the 2024 election, according to multiple media reports.

Now, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, who is running for governor in 2026 as a Democrat, claims that Israel is committing a genocide of the Palestinians. He made the comments at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee’s national convention in Dearborn. Gilchrist’s comments were captured in a video posted on Instagram.

Gilchrist: “A matter of fact.”

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“This is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of fact,” Gilchrist said. “This has been established by the 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 to civilians, and while lineages of families are being erased.”

The United Nations Human Rights Council’s Commission also concluded on Sept. 16 that Israeli authorities and security forces have committed genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Jewish leaders: “Offensive and wrong.”

The American Jewish Committee responded Sept. 16 to the report of genocide in the Gaza Strip by saying, “Few claims are more offensive and blatantly wrong.”

The American Jewish Committee said Israel’s war is against Hamas and it is not seeking to destroy the Palestinian people. The American Jewish Committee also stated Israel is responding to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and Israel has repeatedly relocated Palestinian civilians within the Gaza Strip to ensure they are out of harms way, including calling for the temporary evacuation of some areas.

In addition, they said Hamas purposely puts Palestinian civilians in danger by launching attacks from schools, hospitals, residential buildings and mosques.

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud marked one of the dozens of speakers at the Dearborn event besides Gilchrist. The Dearborn mayor made national headlines during a recent city council meeting when he told a Christian resident he’s not welcome in Dearborn.

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Hammoud has not retracted or apologized for his comments.