Senate candidate El-Sayed avoids question about Israel’s right to exist

Michigan Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed Faces Tough Questions on Israel

During a tense CNN interview on Thursday, Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed found himself in a heated exchange regarding Israel’s right to exist, amidst a backdrop of deleted social media posts related to defunding the police.

The show’s host, Casey Hunt, highlighted the significant role of AIPAC in the current election landscape, mentioning its substantial financial contributions. She asked El-Sayed directly, “Do you think Israel has a right to exist?”

El-Sayed responded, emphasizing that AIPAC’s influence is noteworthy. He cited the $30 million it has spent during this election cycle, asserting that the conversation around life and rights should also include Palestine. “Everyone who’s been president claims to support a two-state solution,” he noted, questioning if the current political climate prioritizes funding for Israel over investing in domestic needs.

El-Sayed’s Views on Israel and Palestine

Hunt pressed further, indicating that El-Sayed acknowledged Israel’s existence and sought clarification on its right to survival. El-Sayed sidestepped the question, stating that he wouldn’t engage in what he termed a “messy game” of affirming Israel’s legitimacy when the more pressing question is about equal rights.

He suggested a more relevant question would be whether “everyone has an equal right to peace, dignity, and self-determination,” making it clear that he believes this applies to Jews, Israelis, and Palestinians alike.

He maintained that the ultimate discussions about peace should involve those directly affected—namely, the people of Israel and Palestine—suggesting that the focus should be on how tax dollars are allocated rather than solely on Israel’s existence.

Deleted Social Media Posts Come Under Fire

In response to comments about his previously deleted social media posts endorsing police defunding movements, El-Sayed acknowledged that large U.S. cities often misallocate funds, spending excessively on police while neglecting essential areas like public education and health services.

When pressed about his stance on police funding, he pointed to his experience as the director of Wayne County’s Department of Health and emphasized the need for investments in systems that protect people.

Later in the conversation, El-Sayed expressed frustration with how issues from 2020, such as his deleted tweets, are still being scrutinized. He described this focus as unproductive, arguing that real dialogue should center on pressing concerns like corporate influence over housing and healthcare, which resonate more with constituents. “No one in the community asks me about that,” he remarked.