U of M regent race could be the most controversial at state Democratic convention

University of Michigan Board of Regents Democratic candidates: Denise Illitch (R), Huwaida Arraf (C) and Shauna Ryder Diggs (L) | Courtesy photos

Updated, 8:44 a.m., 8/24/24

As the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) gets set to hold its convention this weekend in Lansing, trying to build on the unity coming out of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, one candidate is drawing attention for her stance on an issue that remains divisive within the Democratic coalition: the ongoing war being waged by Israel against Hamas in Gaza.

Members of the “Uncommitted” movement wanted a Palestinian-American speaker at the DNC after protests outside the convention hall did not draw large crowds, as expected, but that didn’t happen. However, several Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Vice President Kamala Harris, all called for a ceasefire and the return of hostages.

Huwaida Arraf is one of three candidates running for two Democratic nominations for University of Michigan regent. Arraf is a Palestinian-American civil rights attorney who is a longtime, prominent leader of the pro-Palestinian movement.

Both the MDP and the Michigan GOP are holding statewide conventions on Saturday in Lansing and Flint, respectively. The parties will pick their nominees for Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Board of Education and the boards for the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University. All offices are voted on statewide on Nov. 5.

Several attempts were made by the Advance to contact Arraf for comment, but none were successful.

Also running are Dr. Shauna Ryder Diggs, a cosmetic dermatologist from Grosse Pointe who served for eight years as a regent before leaving in 2020, and Denise Illitch, an incumbent who has served on the board since being elected in 2008. Among a variety of issues, Ilitch emphasizes keeping education affordable and advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion on her campaign website. Diggs also touts affordable education, as well as ensuring there is a campus culture that “nurtures and protects students, staff, and faculty from discrimination and misconduct​.”

Arraf, who ran for Congress as a Democrat in the 10th Congressional District in 2022 and lost to former Judge Carl Marlinga, also highlights affordable education on her website , but also says that among the reasons she is running to be a U of M regent is “the institution’s complicity in genocide,” referencing the refusal of the university board and administration to give in to protester demands that the university should divest itself, both financially and academically, from the state of Israel over its ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says Israeli military attacks against Hamas in Gaza have resulted in more than 40,000 deaths , and over 92,000 wounded, the majority of whom are civilians.

Pro-Palestinian protesters have held many peaceful protests at U of M since the Israel-Hamas war began in October. They also engaged in a sit-in in November at President Santa Ono’s office , which resulted in felony charges being brought against four individuals , and an encampment that was broken up by campus police in May that led to four arrests, although no charges ended up being filed.

Additionally, coalition members appeared outside the homes of U of M’s Board of Regents , including Chair Sarah Hubbard, a Republican, and Regent Jordan Acker, a Democrat.

“As a Republican, my opinion related to who the Democrats should choose at their convention is probably not particularly important,” said Hubbard. “I would just say that I have concerns about Ms. Arraf and what she might bring to the board.”

Hubbard said her main concern is that Arraf is focused on a single, divisive issue at a time when the board is dealing with a very tumultuous period in the university’s history.

“This would have, in my opinion, a very negative effect on our ability to continue to govern and have the University of Michigan be among the top public universities in the country, in the world. One of the top universities, period,” she said.

Acker’s office was also the target of vandalism in early June , although the coalition did not take credit for it and no suspects in that case have been identified.

Acker declined to comment about Arraf’s candidacy when asked by the Advance .

No stranger to controversy

In March 2023, a presentation by Arraf at Bloomfield Hills High School as part of a diversity program resulted in the school’s principal resigning and the district’s superintendent retiring early due to accusations, which she strongly denied, that her remarks to the students were anti-Israel and antisemitic.

Arraf told the Detroit Free Press at the time that the school officials being forced out after her presentation had a chilling effect on free speech.

“People who speak about Palestinian rights will think twice about it. And people who would give a platform for someone to speak about Palestinian rights also need to be concerned. And I think that’s the intention of it, to silence the Palestinian narrative, and that’s dangerous,” she said. “That’s why we did not want to be silent about it, while we wanted to do something to actually amplify how wrong this is.”

The Jewish News reported at the time, Arraf was accused of referring to “Zionists as occupiers running an apartheid state and accused Israel of genocide in the Gaza Strip,” and that she “denied Israel’s existence, only referring to the land as Palestine.”

Arraf is also co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a Palestinian-led movement that states it is focused on nonviolent protest, although as was noted in a 2006 Washington Post column at a 2004 conference, “Arraf distributed recruitment brochures and encouraged students to enlist in the ISM, which, she acknowledged, cooperates with Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.” All three of those groups have been designated as “foreign terrorist organizations” by the U.S. State Department.

Hubbard says looking at Arraf’s social media statements and positions gives her concern that her approach would make the campus more divisive, and not conducive to their main task of educating students.

“She’s using much of the same language and rhetoric that those who protested at my home on May 15th used, and that language is beyond free speech. That language is seen by many as intimidating and harassing. It strikes fear in the hearts of many other students on our campus,” said Hubbard. “It’s important that we make sure all students on our campus feel comfortable with their free speech rights and feel safe on campus. And I’m very concerned that somebody like this is going to continue to carry force with the rhetoric that is currently making students, faculty, and staff feel unsafe on our campus.”

Arraf has posted to social media frequently about the war in Gaza, including denials about widespread sexual assault that occurred during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants, support for the attack itself, which killed an estimated 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 240 hostages being taken, as “self-defense” , and calling Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, an “apartheid/genocide apologist.”

An adviser to Illitch did not provide comment on Arraf’s candidacy when contacted by the Advance . Diggs never responded to a request.

Israel divestment

Among the key priorities listed on Arraf’s candidate website is Ethical Governance & Sustainable Investment, which states a desire to invest the university’s $17.9 billion endowment in “ethical companies reflecting Michigan values, culture, and a (sic) long-term sustainable investments.”

Among the groups endorsing Arraf is the Graduate Employees Organization at U of M, which has been a key ally in the protests seeking to force the university to divest its financial holdings and connections to Israel.

“For too long, the Regents have made the endowment the raison d’etre of our university,” stated the group on X . “This has come at the cost of worker compensation, student well-being, and—horrifyingly—Palestinian lives. We’re proud to endorse @huwaida4um.”

In return, Arraf said she was honored to receive its endorsement.

“I entered this race only 2 weeks ago, drafted by students demanding to be heard. I will fight to bring their voice to the table and protect the rights & freedoms of the @UMich community. Elections Saturday 8/24 at @MichiganDems convention. Join us!,” she posted .

Hubbard says that while discussion of how the university’s endowment is invested is a legitimate issue for a regent candidate to have, it’s not realistic to expect a change.

“She stated that she’s pro-divestment of funds related to Israel. That is a concern she can have, and that’s certainly a duty that we have, to make sure we have proper financial oversight,” said Hubbard. “The Board of Regents, as it stands right now, has been clear that they don’t plan to change the investment policy related to these concerns.”

That being the case, Hubbard says any candidate focused on a single issue that is completely at odds with the rest of the board is not someone who will be an effective representative.

“We have elections for a reason, and this is an opportunity for the delegates of the convention to make a good choice,” she said.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX