Michigan Jewish leaders urge Democratic Party to protect Jewish delegates at convention

Michigan Jewish leaders delivered a petition to state Democratic Party chair Curtis Hertel Jr., urging him to ensure the safety of Jewish delegates at the upcoming Aug. 29 convention. The petition, signed by about 200 people, follows Attorney General Dana Nessel's decision not to attend due to harassment fears. The letter does not name Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, but expresses concerns about his rhetoric on Israel and Jewish safety.

Michigan rabbis and Jewish figures delivered a petition to state Democratic Party chair Curtis Hertel Jr. on Monday, urging him to ensure the safety of Jewish delegates at the party's upcoming convention on Aug. 29. The petition, signed by about 200 people, comes after Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is Jewish, said she would not attend the convention out of fear of being targeted for harassment. The petition calls for clear public commitment that anyone who harasses Jews at the convention will be arrested and prosecuted. The letter does not mention Abdul El-Sayed, the party's U.S. Senate nominee, but Jewish Democrats have expressed concerns about his rhetoric on Israel and Jewish safety, including his response to the Temple Israel attack in March. Five rabbis leading congregations in Michigan signed the letter, along with other Jewish figures from outside the state. The Jewish Democratic Council of America's chair, Halie Soifer, called on El-Sayed to stand with and defend Nessel and other Jewish Democrats. The state's last Democratic convention in April was marred by a toxic environment, including the nomination of an attorney with a history of praising Hezbollah and booing of Rep. Haley Stevens.