Michigan Jewish Voters Split as Abdul El-Sayed Faces Backlash Over Israel Comments
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More than 1,000 Michigan Jews have endorsed Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, while others intend to support Republican Mike Rogers, underscoring a clash over Israel, security, and domestic policy.
Jewish voters in Michigan face a serious decision in the Senate race between Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers. El-Sayed, who leads in recent polls, promotes universal health care and cost-of-living relief, but his refusal to support U.S. military aid to Israel has alarmed many voters. He has described the conflict as "genocide" and called Israeli policies "apartheid."
A public letter signed by more than 1,000 Michigan Jews, including former congressman Sander Levin and former Detroit AJC president Alicia Chandler, endorses El-Sayed despite acknowledging disagreements over his Israel stance. The signatories argue that his domestic agenda and commitment to democratic governance outweigh the concerns his rhetoric has raised.
El-Sayed has hired veteran adviser Lenore Goldman, known for work with Jewish groups, to broaden his outreach without changing his position on Israel.
Critics within the Jewish community point to El-Sayed's remarks after the March attack on Temple Israel synagogue, where he said "Hurt people hurt people," interpreting it as minimizing the antisemitic act. He later apologized and clarified his intent.
Republican leaders have intensified attacks on El-Sayed, with President Donald Trump calling him a "jihadist" and "member of the Muslim Brotherhood" at an October rally, and Rogers accusing him of antisemitism at a Republican Jewish Coalition event.
The split reflects a broader debate among American Jews about whether domestic policy priorities and opposition to the Trump-aligned administration outweigh concerns about a candidate's views on Israel.