WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich., March 1, 2023 — State Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) issued the following statement:
“Late last month, FBI agents arrested an individual accused of threatening to kill unspecified Jewish elected officials in Michigan. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the FBI teams in Dallas and Detroit for their swift response to this incident, making clear that threats against public officials will not be tolerated, and those who seek to make such threats will be held accountable to the fullest extent under the law.
“This incident is disturbing because it is consistent with the unabated rise in antisemitism, white nationalism, and hate crimes targeting Jews across the country, as well as increased political violence and threats against public officials — particularly right here in Michigan.
“I was motivated to run for office to take on rising hate, extremism, and political violence in Michigan. I am drafting legislation that will transform Michigan from national laggard to national leader on hate crimes prevention, intervention, and prosecution. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, as well as Governor Whitmer and Attorney General Nessel, to enact these critical and timely bills into law.
“Far too many Jewish elected officials throughout history did not have the privilege I had to run for office unburdened by attempts to hide or downplay my Jewishness for fear of losing votes due to prejudice. I ran openly, proudly, Jewishly — buttressed by the values my faith and heritage have inculcated in me. Today, I serve in the Michigan Legislature as just one of three Jewish legislators, representing the most heavily Jewish house district in Michigan — and I do so openly, proudly, Jewishly.
“To my community and my constituents, I want you to know: I will never be threatened, cowed, or bullied out of achieving my mission, whether it be working to combat hate crimes, antisemitism, and political violence, strengthening Michigan’s gun laws, addressing the threat of climate change, or delivering resources for West Bloomfield, Commerce, and the Lakes.”