Jewish leaders urge Kamala Harris to press Senate candidate El-Sayed on Israel views

A coalition of progressive Jewish leaders and Michigan Democrats, operating as Nonnegotiable Michigan, sent a letter to former Vice President Kamala Harris urging her to press Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed on his positions regarding Jewish safety and Israel. The group expressed concern over El-Sayed's past remarks, including calling Israelis "bloodthirsty" and rejecting Israel as a Jewish state. Harris and El-Sayed held a roundtable in Detroit on Tuesday focused on healthcare, without addressing the letter.

A coalition of progressive Jewish leaders and Michigan Democrats, operating under the name Nonnegotiable Michigan, sent a letter to former Vice President Kamala Harris on Sunday, September 20, urging her to press Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed on his positions regarding Jewish safety and Israel during their joint campaign appearance on Tuesday. The group, representing rabbis, cantors, and community leaders across the state, acknowledged Harris's record on combating antisemitism but expressed deep concern over El-Sayed's candidacy. The letter criticized El-Sayed for past remarks, including calling Israelis "bloodthirsty," referring to American support for Israel as "purchased loyalty," blaming Israel for local issues in Michigan, and rejecting Israel as a Jewish state. The coalition outlined five core principles for candidates to guarantee Jewish safety, including protecting identity rights and upholding Jewish sovereignty in Israel. During a subsequent press conference, Rabbi Michael Moskowitz of Temple Shir Shalom expressed concern about "antisemitic dog whistles" in the campaign, while Cantor Regina Hayut of Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor said she has "never felt alienated from my party until recently." David Kramer, a Democratic fundraiser, stated that "you can't untangle Judaism from Zionism." Harris and El-Sayed held a roundtable in Detroit on Tuesday focused on maternal health and reproductive freedom, without addressing the letter or the controversies. Harris's office did not respond to a request for comment.