Jordan Acker

The Democratic Party convention in Lansing on Saturday was marked by controversial moments, mainly surrounding the war in the Gaza Strip and the Jewish regent of the University of Michigan, Jordan Acker.

During the national anthem, a woman began yelling at Acker, a Southfield lawyer, talking about dead babies in Gaza and urging him to vote to have the University of Michigan divest from its Israel-related investments, according to online videos. Acker did not respond during the anthem. They also questioned him about a report of the sexual assault of a Palestinian prisoner by Israeli soldiers.

“Let me be clear to those who continue to harass me: You will not remove this public Jew from public life,” Acker later posted on X.

Some in attendance were also unhappy with the nominations for the University of Michigan Board of Regents, as incumbent Denise Ilitch and Dr. Shauna Ryder Diggs ousted international civil rights attorney Huwaida Arraf, who represented students in civil rights cases demanding the university’s withdrawal from Israel, the Detroit News writes, adding:

When the results were announced, Arraf’s supporters booed and chanted “show the numbers,” “shame on you,” and “in November we will remember.” Lansing police arrived outside the convention hall at the Lansing Center to ensure the group left peacefully.

Before the vote, Arraf said: “Regardless of the result, we are sending a message because the party really needs to become more inclusive.”

Pro-Palestinian groups across the country were angry when they were denied the opportunity to speak at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last week.

Acker later explained his view of Saturday’s events to X:

►So I want to talk a little bit about what happened here, and I think it’s both insightful and an important moment to talk about the future of our party and our country. This thread may take a minute…

►I was on my way to the help desk to get my Voatz app working when a protester approached me and asked me if I supported the Israeli rape of a Palestinian (I assumed in Sde Teiman). I replied, “Of course not.”

►Now these @huwaidaarraf supporters’ cameras were out and they decided to film me. So I asked them a question: “Do you support the murder of 1200 Israelis on October 7?” The protester cleared his throat and then started shouting another question.

►I respectfully said, “If you are not willing to condemn Hamas, we have nothing to discuss,” and walked away. At that moment, the @MichiganDems began playing the national anthem. Protesters continued to yell at me even though I paused out of respect for the flag.

►I want to put a caveat to what I am about to say: I have many friends and allies in the Arab-American community. Many have had Shabbat dinners at my home. I care deeply about the Palestinians and their rights…

►I believe that there are many people in this movement who care deeply about the rights of Palestinians. I believe that there are many who are fed up with the bloodshed and the occupation, which is brutal and unsustainable, especially in the West Bank.

►But this movement is completely tainted by actors within it who see their primary mission as eliminating public Jews from public life. The campaign to brand @JoshShapiroPA a genocide advocate was laughable considering his political views on Israel are probably further to the left than Tim Walz’s.

In June, Acker’s law firm building in Southfield was hit by pro-Palestinian graffiti and vandalism.

UM Regent Jordan Acker was approached on the floor during the national anthem at the MDP convention by a woman who questioned the university’s stance on the Israel-Gaza war.

She and several others then followed Acker out of the hall. pic.twitter.com/7kSxzSyWwr

— Beth LeBlanc (@DNBethLeBlanc) 24 August 2024