El-Sayed Compares Israel to Hamas in Controversial Remarks

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Michigan, stated on Sunday that he believes Israel is “just as evil” as Hamas, the designated terrorist group. During an appearance on CNN’s “Inside Politics,” El-Sayed responded to a question about the comparison between the two, saying, “Yes, you become pretty evil when you kill tens of thousands of people.” He elaborated, mentioning that it wasn’t about measuring evil, but rather that both sides could be seen as evil.

He further criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that Netanyahu’s actions could be classified as war crimes. El-Sayed commented, “When you commit genocide, you are a war criminal.”

Currently, El-Sayed is campaigning in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat in the 2026 midterms. His past comments have stirred controversy, particularly a suggestion he made in July 2025 about the necessity for politicians to better understand the motivations of terrorists.

In defending his position, El-Sayed emphasized the importance of understanding the underlying pain that drives individuals to commit acts of violence. He remarked, “I have to learn about people’s pain. Like, that’s what I did in medicine. That’s what I’m trying to do in politics.” This reflection revolves around the idea of addressing the root causes of such heinous actions.

His association with Hasan Piker, a far-left Twitch streamer known for polarizing remarks, has also drawn scrutiny. Piker previously stated that Hamas is “a thousand times better than the fascist settler-colonial apartheid state” of Israel. El-Sayed, however, defended his relationship with Piker amidst the backlash.

In a recent discussion, Piker clarified his views on the conflict, minimizing his criticisms of others in favor of advocating for harm reduction, highlighting the complexities within the region.