Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed stated on Sunday that Israel is 'just as evil' as Hamas, drawing immediate backlash. During an interview on CNN's 'Inside Politics,' El-Sayed responded to a question about comparing the two groups by saying, 'Yes, killing tens of thousands of people makes you pretty damn evil.' He further claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal for Israel's actions during its conflict with Hamas, stating, 'When you conduct a genocide, you’re a war criminal.'
El-Sayed, who is running in the Democratic primary for Michigan's open Senate seat in the 2026 midterms, has faced criticism for past remarks. In July 2025, he suggested during a town hall that political leaders should better understand the motivations behind terrorist acts, saying, 'I have to be a student of people's pain.' He has also been scrutinized for campaigning with Hasan Piker, a far-left Twitch streamer known for inflammatory comments, including calling Hamas 'a thousand times better' than Israel.
El-Sayed's campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.