“Anti-America and Anti-Israel Sentiments Emerge in Michigan’s Dearborn”
Dearborn, Michigan, dubbed “America’s Jihad Capital,” has recently seen a surge in rallies expressing pro-Hamas, anti-America, and anti-Israel sentiments. At the International Al-Quds Day rally held during Ramadan’s last day, attendees were heard chanting “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”
Michigan-based activist Tarek Bazzi, associated with the Hadi Institute, fueled the fervor by proclaiming Imam Khomeini’s declaration of International Al-Quds Day as a call to direct chants against America. Bazzi’s remarks, echoing sentiments of eliminating the American “system,” were met with chants of “Death to America.”
Blaming America’s support for Israel’s policies and funding of the Gaza war, Bazzi labeled the U.S. as one of the “rottenest countries” that should be eradicated entirely. He rallied attendees to chant “Death to Israel” as a logical response to questions about Israel’s right to exist.
Furthermore, the rally saw the desecration of the Israeli flag, with protesters chanting “Free Palestine” and controversial slogans like “From the river to the sea.” This escalation of anti-Israel and anti-America sentiments has drawn attention to Dearborn’s reputation as a hotbed of hate, earning it the label of America’s Jihad Capital.
While acknowledging that most of Dearborn’s citizens are peaceful, Rep. Phil Green emphasized the need for vigilance against extremism, recognizing the potential for such movements to incite violence and division in the community.
