07/14/06: Metro Detroiters React to Mideast Tensions
Metro Detroiters React to Mideast Tensions
WXYZ
Channel 7 News- July 14, 2006Metro Detroiters React to Mideast Tensions
By
Val Clark
Web produced by Seth Myers
Thousands in the Detroit area have loved ones living and traveling in both Lebanon and in Israel. As tensions between the two countries escalate, some metro Detroiters say it is increasingly difficult to communicate with friends and family in the Middle East.
At a Friday morning press conference, a pair of local Arab-American groups said they felt Israel had overreacted to the kidnapping of 2 soldiers when it bombed the Beirut airport and other Lebanese sights.
"This is an act of state terrorism against a nation’s population," said Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi of the Islamic House of Wisdom. "We consider this as a crime against morality, justice, human reason and conscience and a crime against all international laws and principles," he said Friday morning.
Local Arab-Americans are hoping that both sides will sit down and work through their issues. They also ask our whole community to pray for peace in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the groups noted that 20,000 Americans are traveling through the region during this popular summer vacation season.
Kenwah Dabaja has family members traveling in the region. "My aunt and her family of 5 went to Lebanon 3 days ago," she said. "They are trapped in Beirut, unfortunately because of the bombing of the bridges."
Dabaja said her family was in high spirits, but that she continues to worry for them.