Lawn signs for Abdul, canvassing for Haley: Michigan Jews split in Senate Democratic primary

Michigan's Jewish community is divided ahead of the Democratic Senate primary between Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, with Israel as a key issue. Some Jewish voters support El-Sayed despite his genocide accusations against Israel, while others back Stevens, citing concerns over El-Sayed's rhetoric and associations. The primary reflects broader tensions within the party.

Michigan's Jewish community is divided ahead of Tuesday's Democratic Senate primary, with Israel emerging as a central issue. Karen Bick, a 69-year-old Jewish resident of Oak Park, plans to sit out the vote, torn between her pro-Israel stance and her reluctance to support either candidate. She is compelled by Abdul El-Sayed's progressive campaign but is troubled by his accusations that Israel committed genocide in Gaza. Meanwhile, Stevens's campaign has not given her enough reason to vote for her. El-Sayed, a former county health official, has made opposition to US support for Israel and AIPAC's spending a hallmark of his campaign. He has Jewish supporters, including Barbara Weinberg Barefield, who helped found Detroit's Jewish Voice for Peace chapter and organized 'Jews for Abdul.' Suzanne Levin, an 83-year-old, switched her support to El-Sayed after state senator Mallory McMorrow withdrew, rejecting accusations of antisemitism. Opponents, including Halie Soifer of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, which endorsed Stevens, express concern over El-Sayed's response to a March attack on a synagogue and his association with streamer Hasan Piker. Zach Nessel, a canvasser for Stevens, worries an El-Sayed victory could hurt Jewish participation in the party. The state has close to 130,000 Jews.