Michigan’s El-Sayed insists Israel ‘not an ally’ and ‘not actually our friend’

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic US Senate nominee in Michigan, doubled down on his claim that Israel is not an ally of the United States, telling ABC News that Israel is "not actually our friend." He cited Israel's reported lobbying for war with Iran and accused the Israeli military of war crimes and genocide, which Israel strongly rejects. El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers in a competitive race, with a final debate on Wednesday.

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic US Senate nominee in Michigan, has doubled down on his view that Israel is not an ally of the United States, telling ABC News on Monday that Israel is "not actually our friend." El-Sayed, who faces former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers in a competitive race, referenced Israel's reported lobbying of the US to enter a war with Iran, saying, "An ally that takes your money to push you into wars you shouldn't be fighting is not an ally." He compared Israel to a friend who "keeps bumming off [your kid's] money" and "talks about them behind their back." In a separate interview with MS NOW on Thursday, he said the Israeli government "has done nothing but use us" and "has done terrible things with our money." El-Sayed also accused the Israeli military of "heinous things, full war crimes, genocide," which Israel has strongly rejected, stating it seeks to minimize civilian fatalities and that Hamas uses civilians as human shields. He made similar remarks in his first debate with Rogers on October 8. The candidates will meet for a final debate on Wednesday. El-Sayed said he would continue to question Israel's ally status regardless of the outcome of the Knesset election on October 27, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks another term. He told MS NOW he is "committed to the safety and security" of Jewish voters, some of whom have pressured him to moderate his views on Israel.