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Ongoing Story· Day 45

Michigan Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed Softens Stance on Israel Ahead of Midterms

3 developments

Arutz ShevaPolitics

Michigan Senate Candidate Questions US Alliance With Israel

Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba

RightNeutral tone

Hebrew · Sole source

Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed stated Israel should not be considered a U.S. ally, arguing it receives American funds while drawing the U.S. into wars. El-Sayed has previously made controversial remarks, including calling Israeli actions "bloody" and comparing Israeli leadership to Hamas. He apologized in August for comments made after a synagogue attack that were seen as justifying violence. El-Sayed is seeking a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

  • Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed stated Israel is not a U.S. ally.
  • El-Sayed claims Israel receives U.S. funds and drags America into wars.
  • He previously called Israeli military actions "bloody" and leaders "as bad as Hamas."
  • El-Sayed apologized for remarks seen as justifying a synagogue attack.
  • He is running for a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan.
  • His comments were made during an interview with ABC News.
Michigan Senate Candidate Questions US Alliance With Israel
Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, has stated that Israel should not be considered an ally of the United States. In an interview with ABC News, El-Sayed argued that while Israel receives significant financial aid from the U.S., it drags Washington into military conflicts. He questioned whether American support for Israel serves U.S. interests, comparing the relationship to a friendship where one party repeatedly exploits the other.

El-Sayed has a history of controversial statements regarding Israel. Previously, he described Israel's military actions in Gaza as "bloody" and accused its leaders of "genocide." He also suggested that Hamas's alleged war crimes were no different from those of Israel, calling Israeli leadership "as bad as Hamas."

His past remarks also drew criticism following his response to a terrorist attack at the "Temple Israel" synagogue in West Bloomfield, near Detroit, in March. El-Sayed commented that "violence is a cycle" and that it is logical for "people to hurt people who hurt them." These statements were interpreted as justifying the attack, leading to public outcry.

In August, El-Sayed apologized to Jewish members of the Democratic Party, stating that his remarks may have been misunderstood and that he did not intend to justify anything. He clarified that he unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack but admitted his attempt to provide context was poorly timed. "You never want to step on someone when they're hurting," he said.

Arutz ShevaRight · Beit El

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