A coalition of Michigan Jewish leaders on Tuesday launched a petition campaign calling on Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed to publicly state his positions on Israel and Jewish safety or risk losing their support.
The effort, led by over a dozen rabbis, includes five "nonnegotiable" demands for candidates seeking Jewish backing in the state. The petition was announced as El-Sayed prepares for his November matchup against former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary.
El-Sayed’s past criticism of Israel and AIPAC has drawn scrutiny from the petition’s organizers. In a recent interview with CBS News, Rabbi Josh Whinston said the campaign reflects broader concerns within the American Jewish community about political pressure from both sides of the spectrum. "It is about Dr. El-Sayed, and it's also about a bigger issue going on in our politics right now," Whinston stated.
El-Sayed, a former Michigan health official, won the Democratic nomination last month after a primary that centered in part on his outspoken criticism of the Israeli government and AIPAC. He has repeatedly emphasized that his criticism is directed at policies, not Jewish people. In a prior interview with NBC News, he said: "I love and revere Judaism and the Jewish people. I believe they are a light unto the world… but they are not the same as AIPAC and Israel."
The petition’s demands include calls for candidates to publicly condemn antisemitism, support Israel’s right to exist, and reject groups like AIPAC if they are deemed to undermine Jewish safety. Organizers have not specified what consequences candidates would face if they fail to meet the demands, though the petition signals a potential shift in political alignment.
El-Sayed’s campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment on the petition. His primary opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, received significant funding from pro-Israel groups, including over $30 million in outside spending from an AIPAC-affiliated organization, which El-Sayed highlighted during the race. Stevens had endorsements from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other moderate Democrats, while El-Sayed secured backing from Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The Senate race in Michigan is one of several high-stakes contests in November, with El-Sayed and Rogers now focused on consolidating support ahead of the general election.