Gretchen Whitmer hit for failing to mention Israel in vague call for ‘peace in region’
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used the word “I”, as in Israel, after facing criticism for expressing empathy for an unnamed group of people from a region that was impacted by a certain event.
Whitmer, a Democrat from Michigan, was mocked by many for her ambiguous tweet on Saturday that stated: “I’ve been in contact with communities impacted” by the events in the region. It’s abhorrent. All those affected are in my heart. “We need peace in the area.”
Steve Guest, a conservative commentator who tweets: “Pathetic” was among those who criticized her lack of specificity. What region? “Why won’t Gretchen say it?”
Meghan McCain, a former co-host on ABC’s “The View,” said: “Israelis are murdered by Palestinian terrorists – it’s simple.” Daniel Turner, the executive director of Power the Future said that the governor was “completely gobbledygook.”
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Say their names. Curtis Houck tweeted that “Israelis were murdered by Palestinian terrorists.” He is the managing editor at conservative Media Research Center Newsbusters. “I understand this is difficult for white, rich liberals such as yourself.”
This is a sad statement.
Why are you unable to say that you support Israel
The Left in America. Wise up. https://t.co/H1iYyiaO3T
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) October 8, 2023
The account @GayPatriot tweeted: “They call ISRAELIS.”
Ms. Whitmer then issued a statement in which she condemned the deaths that Israel suffered in the surprise attack. This prompted Israel’s declaration of war and counter-strike on the Palestinian enclave within the Gaza Strip. She did not mention that the attack had been carried out by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group which was considered a terrorist organisation by both the U.S. government and the Israeli government.
Whitmer said on Twitter that the images coming out of Israel as we mark the Yom Kippur War anniversary are devasting. The loss of life in Israel, including children and families, is heartbreaking and appalling. Violence against Israel is not justified. “My support is unwavering.”
Democrat Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer has finally issued a tweet that is clean about Israel.
She is the definition of cowardice. pic.twitter.com/x5rqE04K7A
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) October 8, 2023
Stephen L. Miller, a conservative media critic, responded: “Your support was so strong that you couldn’t say it the first statement and had to be twitter shamed into making a second one.”
Hamas’s deadly attack has caused a dilemma for Democrats, as polls indicate that party members are increasingly sympathetic to the Palestinians than the Israelis. This is especially true since Benjamin Netanyahu, the conservative Israeli prime minister returned to power.
Michigan is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the United States, with an estimated 242,000 Muslims or 2.4%. According to World Population Review, the state’s Jewish community is much smaller, at around 88,000 or 0.9%.
Ryan Petty of the Florida State Board of Education said that the second statement of the governor was “a little bit better.”
Petty tweeted, “Now say Hamas terrorists committed this crime.” Petty. “Condemn these people, Governor. It’s not difficult.”