Anti-Semitic Speakers at Arabcon Conference in Dearborn
A group of speakers known for their history of anti-Semitism took the stage at the four-day “Arabcon” conference in Dearborn, Michigan, which included discussions about the recent terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7th.
During the event, some speakers once again justified acts of terrorism. Among them was California Democratic Representative Locanna, who brushed off concerns regarding his participation, saying, “This morning, I saw the headline suggesting Democrats are sharing the stage with pro-terrorist militants. Where are these extremists?” The reactions from the audience, captured on video, were somewhat unclear.
The following day, Professor Rabab Abdulhadi from San Francisco State University attended the conference and did not denounce the Hamas attacks on Israel. She stated, “I condemn Israel and the United States, all oppression and imperial wars globally, but I will never condemn Palestinian resistance.” This stance came during a panel discussion when she was asked about the terrorist attacks.
Abdulhadi has been linked to events with members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which is recognized as a foreign terrorist organization. She claimed that Hamas’s attacks were merely a defense against “colonial and racist violence.”
In her remarks, she emphasized the importance of discussing ideas and tactics within the resistance movement, suggesting that those engaged in it share a sense of community and understanding.
Meanwhile, Arikat, a director at the Palestinian news outlet Al Quds, rejected the notion that Hamas should be prevented from carrying out further operations like those on October 7th. He argued that the Palestinians are compelled to resist in order to claim their rights, regardless of the surrounding normalization agreements.
In the meantime, Zahra Billoo, a former leader with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, expressed a controversial view, suggesting that blaming Hamas for the launch of a rocket is akin to blaming victims of assault for their own situations. She referenced significant past allegations involving the Holy Land Foundation, which was accused of funding Hamas.
Additionally, the conference featured commentary from former U.S. Army veteran Anthony Aguilar, who continued propagating a controversial narrative despite reports indicating he was not alive.
Panel discussions revealed friction among attendees regarding the blame placed on certain individuals for the October 7th events. Some applauded the assertion that panelists should avoid condemning those they see as fighting for freedom.
Locanna maintained that while he doesn’t agree with every statement made at the conference, he advocates for free speech. He condemned the attacks on October 7th and called for the release of hostages.
Recent statements from fellow Democrats who participated have stirred controversy, particularly after a move to name a street in honor of Arab American journalists who have made polarizing comments. Michigan’s Democratic Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II characterized the Israeli government’s actions as “genocide” against Palestinians during a speech at the event.
Others in attendance included Michigan Senator Alabas Farhatt and former city council members, but most did not respond to requests for comments following the event.
