Michigan Jewish Leaders Issue Ultimatum
Michigan Rabbis Warn Democratic Senate Nominee Abdul El-Sayed Over Israel Rhetoric
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Key Points
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Rabbi Aaron Starr said that primary-election rhetoric singling out Israel and its American supporters “felt like a dog whistle for people to turn against American Jews,” and argued El-Sayed must change how he discusses Israel for Jewish voters to feel safe.
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El-Sayed’s campaign repeatedly attacked AIPAC during the primary, while the pro-Israel group’s super PAC spent more than $28 million opposing him, according to The New York Times.
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The petition argues that opposing Israel’s existence amounts to demanding the dismantlement of “only 1 out of the 193 countries in the world,” a standard the organizers say is not applied to other nations.
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Rabbi Josh Whinston said many Jewish Democrats remain politically conflicted and “feeling homeless” because they want to remain part of the Democratic coalition while confronting concerns about the party’s treatment of Israel and Jewish safety.
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El-Sayed’s campaign declined to comment to The New York Times on the petition, while The Hill reported that it had also sought comment from the campaign.
Fifteen Michigan rabbis and Jewish leaders released a petition warning Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed that he must change his Israel rhetoric to keep Jewish voters' support. The petition lists five demands: backing Jewish sovereignty in Israel, supporting a two-state solution, affirming Jewish safety, and protecting Jews' full participation in American politics. The New York Times reported that organizers did not name El-Sayed directly, but the petition clearly targets him after his primary campaign criticized Israel and pro-Israel groups.
El-Sayed's outreach to Jewish Democrats has improved since he apologized for his initial response to a March synagogue attack. But Jewish leaders say the effort remains insufficient. Many Jewish Democrats now feel torn between supporting their party's nominee and protecting their community's interests as El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers in the general election.
Rabbis Say El-Sayed's Rhetoric Feels Like a Dog Whistle
Rabbi Aaron Starr told The New York Times that El-Sayed's primary-election language singling out Israel and pro-Israel groups "felt like a dog whistle for people to turn against American Jews." Starr argued El-Sayed must fundamentally change how he discusses Israel for Jewish voters to feel safe supporting him. The rabbi said the coalition organized this petition to pressure the nominee before the general election.
El-Sayed's campaign repeatedly attacked AIPAC, the major pro-Israel lobbying group, during the Democratic primary. AIPAC's super PAC spent more than $28 million opposing El-Sayed, according to The New York Times. This spending war intensified tensions and made some Jewish voters question whether El-Sayed viewed their community's interests as legitimate political concerns.
The Petition's Core Demands on Israel's Legitimacy
The petition's most pointed argument addresses whether Israel should exist at all. Organizers contend that opposing Israel's existence means demanding the dismantlement of "only 1 out of the 193 countries in the world." They argue this standard is not applied to other nations, making it a double standard when leveled at Israel. This criticism directly responds to El-Sayed's stated opposition to what he calls "ethno-states."
Jewish Democrats Caught Between Party Loyalty and Community Concerns
Rabbi Josh Whinston described many Jewish Democrats as politically "feeling homeless." They want to stay in the Democratic coalition while also confronting what they see as the party's problematic treatment of Israel and Jewish safety, Whinston explained. This internal conflict has made the 2024 race uniquely stressful for Jewish voters who historically lean Democratic but worry about anti-Israel rhetoric within progressive circles.
National polling shows the tension has not yet broken Democratic support among Jewish voters. JTA reported that two-thirds of U.S. Jewish voters plan to support Democrats in the November election, despite ongoing concerns about Israel. However, Jewish leaders say El-Sayed's campaign response will determine whether that support holds strong or erodes in Michigan specifically.
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