By Niraj Warikoo Detroit Free Press (TNS)
(BAKERS FIELD) DETROIT — After facing criticism from some in the Arab American community,
Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad has apologized for liking a Facebook post that showed support for Israel. In his apology, Haddad also called for a free Palestine.
Earlier this month, Haddad liked a May 11 Facebook post of a police officer in another department who had updated his profile photo with a banner that read: “I Stand With Israel” with an Israeli flag in a heart symbol.
The banner also said “AJC,” which refers to the American Jewish Committee, an advocacy group that promoted the Facebook logo for advocates of Israel.
The post was made during the 11-day war that erupted between Israel and Palestinians, their deadliest conflict in seven years. The conflict prompted several protests against Israel by Arab Americans and others in recent weeks in Dearborn, Detroit, Warren and Ann Arbor.
Dearborn, which is 47% Arab American, has a sizable population who support Palestinians. Haddad’s apology illustrated how the conflict in the Middle East has played out in metro Detroit as Arab American, Jewish, Muslim and Black communities react to the war.
“A couple days ago, I liked a profile photo of a colleague and professional friend that I have now learned also contained a message that upset many people,” Haddad wrote in a Facebook post on May 18. “I’m sorry for any hurt or confusion that mistake caused.”
