"Are you for America or for the terrorist organizations?": The Michigan debate exploded over Israel and Iran
Two weeks before the US midterm elections, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and his Democratic rival Abdul El-Sayed clashed in a heated debate. Rogers accused El-Sayed of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of Hamas and Hezbollah. El-Sayed attacked Rogers' support for war with Iran and his acceptance of AIPAC funding.
Two weeks before the US midterm elections, Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and his Democratic rival Abdul El-Sayed clashed in a heated debate Thursday night centered on Israel, Iran, Hamas, and the Muslim Brotherhood. Rogers, a former congressman and FBI agent, accused El-Sayed of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of Hamas and Hezbollah, asking him: "Are you for America or for the terrorist organizations?" El-Sayed, an Egyptian-American doctor who could become the first Muslim in the Senate, angrily denied the accusations and attacked Rogers for supporting war with Iran and accepting financial support from AIPAC. El-Sayed linked the war to the cost of living, arguing it leads to high fuel and food prices. Rogers claimed he is gaining increasing support from Jewish Democrats concerned about El-Sayed's positions. The debate took place against the backdrop of the battle for control of the Senate, with Michigan being a key state. The seat is being vacated due to the retirement of Democratic Senator Gary Peters. The article notes that El-Sayed's claim about AIPAC funneling nine million dollars has not been verified, and a PolitiFact fact-check determined a previous claim by Rogers was incorrect.