Whitmer Asks Feds to Help American Citizens Leave Lebanon

LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken imploring federal officials “do more” to bring home U.S. and Michigan citizens still located in Lebanon.

Portions of the Detroit area, along with Dearborn and Hamtramck, boast the largest concentration of American-Arabs in the country. Whitmer mentioned in her letter that Michigan legislative and congressional leaders are receiving reports of U.S. citizens struggling to leave the country. A copy of the letter, which has not been made public but has been confirmed by The Detroit News, said flights out of Lebanon have been cancelled or the price of tickets increased to thousands of dollars.

“We are already hearing reports of confirmed deaths and fear there will be more,” Whitmer wrote. “We cannot stand by while our constituents and their families are suffering.” Israeli forces have been fighting the terrorist group Hezbollah in Lebanon for several weeks.

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who represents a large number of Middle Eastern residents in southeastern Michigan, said 148 citizens in her district are facing challenges as they try to leave Lebanon.

Lance Corporal Haidar is among 148 residents we have been desperately trying to help evacuate from Lebanon. One of my constituents was already killed in an Israeli airstrike.

The @StateDept is leaving Americans behind and failing to protect their own citizens. https://t.co/Sljpbd1Pf8

— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) October 3, 2024

State Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) is sounding the alarm as well. He announced he is currently in Washington, D.C. meeting with officials and demanding a faster return of citizens to U.S. soil.

The United States is responsible for protecting its citizens abroad, especially in times of crisis. Given the rapid escalation in Beirut, we demand the U.S. Department of State to immediately order evacuation flights for American citizens currently in Lebanon.

I am grateful for… pic.twitter.com/MuUy89gNk4

— Alabas Farhat (@AlabasFarhat) September 30, 2024

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud did not hold back referring to the “devastating” news stemming from Lebanon, but also expressed disdain for “[Benjamin] Netanyahu and his cabinet of war criminals.”

Devastating news continues to emerge from Lebanon, where 1500+ civilians have been injured or killed due to an indiscriminate Israeli bombing campaign in the last 24 hours. Our community is watching in horror as loved ones in Lebanon are being slaughtered, from the…

— Abdullah H. Hammoud (@AHammoudMI) September 23, 2024

Meanwhile, Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib, who has placed his support behind former President Donald Trump, issued this statement on social media and pushed back against the Biden administration.

Hamtramck has an all-Muslim city council.

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