Rep. Debbie Dingell says Democrats ‘made a mistake’ by ignoring Maine scandal

Michigan Representative Debbie Dingell addressed a contentious debate among Democratic Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens, highlighting significant divides regarding their positions on Israel and AIPAC. She noted how pressing Israel-related topics are for Michigan’s diverse Jewish and Arab American populations.

El-Sayed, vying for the Senate, accused AIPAC of offering food and drinks as a sort of “bribery.” He claimed in a recent post that AIPAC is set to spend nearly four million dollars on him, urging that this money could instead enhance local schools and healthcare for families.

“At worst, legalized bribery,” El-Sayed added, suggesting this raises deeper questions about foreign interests in U.S. elections and whether similar critiques would apply to other political action committees as well.

Josh Shapiro expressed concerns that criticism of AIPAC is being used to marginalize specific voters.

El-Sayed’s remarks come just weeks before the primary against the pro-Israel backed Rep. Haley Stevens, who fiercely rebuked him for questioning the U.S.-Israel relationship amid tensions with Hamas. She firmly stated that Israel has the right to exist peacefully alongside Palestine and Gaza.

El-Sayed believes that the Israel lobby holds too much sway in American elections, arguing that candidates struggle to raise questions about the partnership or the circumstances under which U.S. aid might be withheld. He criticized the long-standing delegation of U.S. foreign policy to AIPAC, stating that it has traditionally ensured compliance from both parties.

Interestingly, El-Sayed has minimal overseas assets and has faced scrutiny for not releasing his tax returns. He explained that the complexity of his family’s overseas holding has delayed the documentation process, mentioning that his wife’s family’s property abroad adds to the challenge.

As the Democratic primary approaches, the internal conflicts within the party, especially regarding the Israel issue, are becoming more prominent. With tensions escalating within the party, this debate marks a crucial moment for progressives in these high-stakes Senate races.