El-Sayed speaks to Jewish Michigan Dems
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The gist
Abdul El-Sayed apologized to Jewish Michigan Democrats for linking a synagogue attack to Israel's war. He seeks to unify the party ahead of a tight Senate race.
Background
El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, faced backlash for comments made after a March attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, when he said 'hurt people hurt people' and linked the attack to Israel's war in Lebanon. Jewish Democrats, including Attorney General Dana Nessel, criticized the remarks. With Michigan's Senate race pivotal for control of the Senate, El-Sayed is working to win over the state's approximately 100,000 Jewish voters, most of whom historically vote Democratic.
How it unfolded
- Mar 13, 2026El-Sayed commented on the attack at Temple Israel, saying there was no justification but including 'hurt people hurt people,' drawing criticism.
- Aug 29, 2026At the Michigan Democratic Party convention in Lansing, El-Sayed apologized to the Democratic Jewish Caucus for his earlier remarks, saying 'I made a mistake.'
- Aug 30, 2026El-Sayed addressed about 300 Jewish Democrats at the 'Summer Simcha' event in Birmingham, apologizing again and referencing the Jewish value of tikkun olam.
- Aug 31, 2026El-Sayed told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency he wished he could retract his past comments, saying 'All of us have to bring down violence wherever we see it.'
Who’s saying what
- Support
- Daniel Rivkin, a convention delegate, said El-Sayed 'just had a very good meeting with us' and that 'we're having real conversations.'
- Caution
- State Sen. Jeremy Moss said the apology was 'something that a lot of people in that room needed to hear,' but some Jewish Democrats remain uncomfortable with El-Sayed's positions.
- Critics
- Some Jewish leaders published an open letter urging Jewish Democrats and independents to support GOP nominee Mike Rogers, citing concerns about El-Sayed's comments and associations.
Still unverified
Some Jewish Democrats reportedly fear El-Sayed stoked antisemitism by calling out pro-Israel lobby donations, but this is not confirmed.