State Rep. Donni Steele on Friday applauded the Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees for reprimanding Trustee Stephanie Fakih following antisemitic and hateful comments she made via her social media accounts.

“As leaders, parents, teachers, and friends, we must speak out against hate even when it is uncomfortable,” said Steele, R-Orion Township. “The community and board responded to the egregious actions by a single board member with thoughtfulness and intelligence, especially considering the hateful rhetoric used by Trustee Fakih.”

During a meeting on Monday, Oct. 15, the board voted 6-1 to censure Fakih, who cast the dissenting vote. Fakih’s post labeled Israeli and American Zionists as “scum of the earth.”

“The township board handled the meeting gracefully and professionally,” Steele said. “I’m proud of the Bloomfield community for its strength, unity, and leadership.”

Steele championed efforts to condemn antisemitism in Lansing by speaking out against antisemitic protests at Michigan universities this spring and introducing a resolution to name May 2 as End Jew-Hatred Day in Michigan.

“The few bullies with the loudest voices should not be the only voices heard, nor should they represent the feelings of the majority,” Steele said. “As Americans, we have the right to free speech. However, as leaders of our communities, state, and country, we have a higher standard of civility and decorum to uphold in all our actions.”

###