Michigan Senate Candidate’s Controversial Take on Israel
Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for the Senate from Michigan, expressed on Monday that Israel should no longer be considered a US ally, asserting that it’s necessary to acknowledge that the Jewish state “is not our friend.”
In an interview with ABC News, he stated, “An ally that takes your money to push you into wars you shouldn’t be fighting is not an ally.” He likened the situation to a child who has a friend always borrowing money and speaking poorly of them, suggesting parents might advise their child to reconsider that friendship.
El-Sayed insisted that it’s time for Americans to recognize Israel’s true nature. During his recent debate with Republican opponent Mike Rogers, he avoided a direct response to whether he sees Israel or Iran as a bigger threat to the US, later calling the question “ridiculous” but noting that both nations have posed dangers in their own ways.
This week, El-Sayed revealed that his concerns with Israel extend beyond its right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently preparing for a significant election on October 27.
He stated, “Allies are supposed to care about you implicitly, not just use you,” criticizing the Israeli government for exploiting the US. El-Sayed condemned the actions of the Israeli military, labeling them as “heinous” and accusing them of committing war crimes and genocide.
Looking ahead, El-Sayed remarked that he does not hear anyone running for prime minister commit to Palestinian self-determination, highlighting ongoing structural issues in US-Israel relations. Meanwhile, Netanyahu is becoming aware of the divide between his government and the American political left.
When asked how he would react if the next US president distanced themselves from Israel, Netanyahu mentioned the importance of building alternative alliances. He emphasized the need to engage positively with the US over the next few years and to form new partnerships, citing countries in the region and beyond, including a growing focus on Latin America.
