Obama Campaigns for Anti-Israel Candidate, Trump Calls Him 'Jihadist'
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Former President Barack Obama campaigned for Michigan Senate candidate Abdul E. Sayed, who has made anti-Israel statements. Sayed, a progressive Muslim, faces Republican Mike Rogers in a key midterm election. Obama defended Sayed's past criticisms of Israel as part of democratic debate. Former President Donald Trump criticized Obama's endorsement, calling Sayed a "jihadist" and defending his own foreign policy decisions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Barack Obama campaigned for Senate candidate Abdul E. Sayed, who has criticized Israel and U.S. aid.
- Sayed, a progressive Muslim, faces former Congressman Mike Rogers in a crucial Michigan Senate race.
- Obama defended Sayed's past criticisms of Israel as healthy democratic debate.
- Pro-Israel groups have spent millions against Sayed, while Bernie Sanders and AOC support him.
- Donald Trump attacked Obama's endorsement, labeling Sayed an "arrogant jihadist."
Former U.S. President Barack Obama has endorsed and campaigned for Abdul E. Sayed, a progressive candidate for the Senate in Michigan, despite Sayed's recent statements calling Israel "not really our friend" and advocating to end U.S. military aid to the country. Obama appeared at a rally in Detroit on Saturday, urging voters to support Sayed in a race that could determine control of the Senate.
Sayed, a 41-year-old epidemiologist of Egyptian descent, defeated moderate, pro-Israel Congresswoman Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary. He is now running against former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers. If elected, Sayed would be the first Muslim to serve in the U.S. Senate. At the rally, Obama praised Sayed as a fighter for "real change" and highlighted their shared values, acknowledging past disagreements but framing them as part of healthy democracy.
However, Sayed's past rhetoric has been highly critical of Israel. He has accused Israel of genocide and apartheid, compared its government to Hamas, and questioned its right to exist as a Jewish state. He recently stated in an interview that an ally who "takes your money to push you into wars you didn't need to fight" is not a true friend. These statements have alienated some within the Michigan Jewish community, including some Democrats who now support Rogers.
The race has become one of the most expensive and contentious midterm contests. Pro-Israel groups, including AIPAC, spent over $30 million trying to defeat Sayed in the primary and are now reportedly planning to spend up to $9 million to support Rogers. In response, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have each contributed $1 million to support Sayed's campaign.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has attacked Obama's involvement, calling Sayed a "arrogant jihadist" and claiming Obama's rally was poorly attended. Trump defended his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, calling it one of the worst agreements ever made. He is scheduled to hold his own rally in Michigan this week, while Obama will continue campaigning in Georgia.
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