Abdul El-Sayed Addresses Concerns on Antisemitism

During a recent episode of MS NOW’s “The Moment,” Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed addressed worries regarding his views on antisemitism. He stated that he does not equate criticism of Israel and the actions it takes—actions funded by U.S. tax dollars—with rejecting individuals based on their faith or identity. He emphasized the importance of focusing on collective responsibilities as Democrats in Michigan rather than allowing disagreements about far-off policies to divide them.

When discussing how to unite Michigan’s diverse voting groups, El-Sayed asserted that there is a consensus that Donald Trump poses a significant threat to American democracy and that Mike Rogers would merely support Trump. He expressed the need to defeat Rogers, describing him as corrupt and cowardly. He acknowledged the tough primary campaign he faced, highlighting that $70 million was spent against him by various political action committees. However, he urged everyone to move past that phase and recognize the opportunity to retake the U.S. Senate, hold Trump accountable, and tackle pressing challenges together.

Host Katy Tur raised concerns about Jewish voters in Michigan, citing fears that El-Sayed does not fully represent their interests. Referring to an upcoming event with the Jewish Democratic Caucus, she shared a comment from Caucus Chair Decky Alexander, who noted that there has been significant antisemitic rhetoric coming from El-Sayed’s campaign that needs to be addressed directly.

In response, El-Sayed differentiated between being anti-Israel and anti-Jewish, stressing that opposing Israeli actions does not imply hostility toward Jewish individuals. He reiterated his commitment to Jewish safety, likening it to his dedication to the safety of his own family. He also indicated that he looks forward to engaging with his Jewish constituents, emphasizing the shared responsibility to confront the rise of hatred in society, particularly in light of Trump’s influence. He pointed out troubling connections between Rogers and extremist groups, asserting that such issues should unite them in a collective fight against hatred, rather than allowing policy disagreements to create divisions.