(CBS DETROIT) – Tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East Iran fired nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday. With military attacks increasing in the region, many people in Michigan say they feel the pain from 6,000 miles away.
Just hours after Israel began ground operations in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, Iran fired hundreds of missiles into Israel on Tuesday in a revenge attack for Israel’s assassination of several Hezbollah leaders, including its top leader.
Although Israel managed to neutralize most of the damage, it is still a frightening day for Detroit’s Jewish community, especially as they plan to celebrate Rosh Hashanah on Wednesday.
“It is a Jewish community coming together in times of crisis and hardship, and that is what we experience, and so we send our love and support to the people of Israel, and we pray that more peaceful times will return. And that safety and security is returned to all citizens throughout the region,” said David Kurzmann, senior director of community affairs at the Jewish Federation of Detroit.
While the local Jewish community sees these tense moments taking place abroad, so too does the local Arab community.
Mariam Charara of the Arab American Civil Rights League tells CBS Detroit that almost everyone here knows someone locally who has been affected in the Middle East. And right now, many are concerned about their loved ones escaping the conflict in Lebanon.
“We have people calling absolutely desperate and already losing some of their relatives, desperately needing someone to help. It’s just a feeling of devastation, guilt, frustration, the feeling that you can’t really do much, it’s just dark stuff.” days,” Charara said.
As thousands struggle to flee Lebanon, Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell urged the State Department to quickly arrange evacuation flights for U.S. citizens and their immediate family members currently in Lebanon.
“I sent a letter today to Secretary of State Antony Blinken asking the State Department to arrange evacuation flights for people trying to leave Lebanon and get home. I don’t know if many people realize that anymore. than 89,000 Americans as of 2022 who will be in Lebanon,” Dingell said.