Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized two progressive Democrats—Abdul El-Sayed, a Michigan Senate candidate, and Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s mayor—over their comments regarding Israel during a podcast interview on September 12, 2024.
Pelosi’s remarks came in response to comments made by podcast host Donny Deutsch, who described El-Sayed and Mamdani’s positions on Israel as concerning and potentially antisemitic. Pelosi stated that their views were ‘wrong’ and did not reflect the broader Democratic Party in Congress.
El-Sayed’s campaign has not responded to requests for comment outside of standard working hours, according to Newsweek.
Core Developments
Pelosi’s Criticism of El-Sayed and Mamdani
During the On Brand podcast, Deutsch, who identifies as Jewish, expressed distress over what he described as rising antisemitism within the Democratic Party. He specifically cited El-Sayed’s past remarks, including his characterization of Israel’s military actions in Gaza as a ‘genocide’ and his refusal to affirm Israel’s status as a Jewish state.
Pelosi responded by stating:
“No, it's more than concerning. It's wrong. It's wrong, and it isn't a reflection of the Democrats in the Congress of the United States.”
She further added that El-Sayed’s potential election to Congress would be a separate matter, while acknowledging Mamdani’s role as mayor of New York City but expressing disagreement with some of his statements.
El-Sayed’s Stance on Israel
El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, has faced scrutiny for his comments on Israel. In an interview with Mehdi Hasan, he rejected the idea that criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza equates to antisemitism. He stated:
“My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own kids. We have a responsibility to take on antisemitism in all of its forms wherever we see it.”
El-Sayed has also declined to explicitly endorse Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, describing it as a matter of equal rights rather than religious privilege.
Mamdani’s Position on Israel
Mamdani, who was elected mayor of New York City in 2021, has also faced questions about his views on Israel. In a June 28, 2024 interview with ABC News, he stated:
“I think any state that privileges one religion over the other is one that I can’t tell you I support, whether it be Israel or Saudi Arabia or anywhere else.”
He later clarified that he supports Israel as a state with equal rights but did not explicitly endorse its status as a Jewish state.
Political Context and Implications
Michigan Senate Race
El-Sayed is running in a high-profile Senate race in Michigan, a battleground state that former President Donald Trump won by 1.4 percentage points in the 2024 election. His opponent is Republican Mike Rogers, and the race is considered closely divided.
Pelosi’s remarks may signal an effort to distance mainstream Democratic leadership from progressive candidates whose views on Israel diverge from the party’s traditional stance.
Debate Over Antisemitism and Free Speech
The exchange highlights ongoing debates within the Democratic Party about the line between criticism of Israel and antisemitism. Pro-Israel advocacy groups have argued that certain criticisms of Israel cross into antisemitic territory, while others contend that such critiques are protected political speech.
El-Sayed has previously stated that he opposes antisemitism and supports Jewish safety, framing his criticism of Israel as a matter of policy rather than faith.