Hundreds of Michigan Jews endorse pledge to vote for Abdul El-Sayed

Over 600 Michigan Jews signed an open letter pledging to vote for Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, despite his rocky relationship with the Jewish community due to his opposition to a two-state solution and past controversies. The letter, organized by 'Michigan Jews for Democracy,' frames the vote as a strategic choice rather than an endorsement of every position.

More than 600 Michigan Jews have signed an open letter pledging to vote for Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for US Senate, in what is expected to be a close and pivotal election. The coalition, 'Michigan Jews for Democracy,' includes prominent liberal and progressive Jewish figures such as former US representatives Sander and Andy Levin, attorney general nominee Eli Savit, and Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus chair Decky Alexander. The letter acknowledges that some signatories have reservations about El-Sayed, including disagreements over his approach to Israel and the language used by some of his allies. It frames the vote as a strategic choice, stating, 'A vote is not a valentine; it's a strategic chess move.' El-Sayed has sought to mend relations with Jewish voters, including holding an unpublicized meeting with rabbis at Temple Israel after apologizing for equivocating about condemning a March attack on the synagogue. The letter contrasts with other Jewish open letters in the state, including one supporting his GOP opponent Mike Rogers and another urging El-Sayed to commit to 'Jewish sovereignty in Israel.' The Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus has not endorsed El-Sayed, and the Jewish Democratic Council of America has also withheld endorsement.