Township trustee posts antisemitic hate rants
By Lisa Brody
Bloomfield Township Trustee Stephanie Fakih sent a series of antisemitic posts on X on Friday, October 4, and rather than apologize to her fellow township board of trustee members, she further fanned the flames by posting a follow up encouraging friends and “followers” to support her and speak in her defense at the upcoming township board meeting during public comment on Monday, October 14.
Fakih, who is Lebanese American, posted on X, “Israeli zionists are the scum of the earth and the only people on par are American zionists,” as well as referring to 95+ percent of Jews globally as “scum.”
Fakih is completing her first four-year term as a Bloomfield Township Trustee, and is not running for re-election on November 5. A Democrat, Fakih unsuccessfully ran in a three-way primary for state representative in 2022.
Bloomfield Township is a diverse community of about 45,000 residents, and her comments have created havoc, anger and dismay among many in both the township government and amongst residents. Township Supervisor Dani Walsh, clerk Martin Brook and treasurer Michael Schostak sent out a statement which read, “We are deeply disturbed by Trustee Stephanie Fakih’s antisemitic social media post on Friday. Her views do not represent us, nor did she speak in an official capacity on behalf of Bloomfield Township. We are proud of our community’s diversity and we recognize that diversity as a source of strength. While we recognize her right to free speech, as township trustees, it is our duty to represent and serve everyone equally and with respect. But, her divisive and dehumanizing rhetoric undermined those values and wounded many residents. Ms. Fakih’s term will end on November 20th and between now and that time we call upon Ms. Fakih to help heal those wounds.”
The group StopAntisemitism posted back in response to Fakih, “Bloomfield is home to one of Michigan's largest Jewish populations. This vile hate must not be tolerated – Stephanie Fakih must step down.”
Fakih cannot be recalled from office, as an elected official in Michigan cannot be removed in their first or last year of office; only the governor can remove the official. With only three trustee meetings left in the current term, that is unlikely. However, her fellow trustees could censor Fakih.
At the board of trustees meeting Monday, October 14, it is anticipated that a large crowd from both sides, will turn out to speak during public comment, as a special meeting to deal with the issue was not called.
“We have a terrible situation. Most of our employees do not feel safe. They do not feel safe at work, they do not feel safe at the Open House (this weekend) – and some board members do not feel safe – all because of Stephanie Fakih,” said trustee Neal Barnett, who has been on the board of trustees for over 20 years.
Barnett noted it will also cost Bloomfield Township “thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars in police overtime for the upcoming meeting because of her. She has taken no responsibility for her speech. Instead she has doubled down. Although she has First Amendment rights, she could have apologized to the board and the Bloomfield Township community for the impact she has created, and she hasn't.
“It's going to be a very uncomfortable meeting Monday night, but that's what she wants,” he said.
Fakih has taken down her LinkedIn page and her Facebook page is private.
