DETROIT — Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed has pushed back against accusations of antisemitism, asserting that opposing the Israeli government’s military actions must be clearly separated from hostility toward Jewish people.
Speaking in an interview with MS Now, El-Sayed addressed sharp political attacks surrounding his foreign policy platform, emphasizing his personal dedication to protecting Jewish communities from rising hate.
“I stand in solidarity with my Jewish sisters and brothers, and we can condemn antisemitism,” El-Sayed stated during the broadcast. “My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own kids. We have a responsibility to take on antisemitism in all of its forms, wherever we see it”.
El-Sayed—who won the Democratic nomination in a high-stakes primary and could become the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate—has faced intense scrutiny over his calls to end U.S. military aid to Israel and his characterization of military operations in Gaza.
The physician and former public health director argued that conflating criticism of foreign state policies or political lobbying organizations with anti-Jewish bigotry creates a dangerous precedent that stifles legitimate policy debate. He reaffirmed his commitment to protecting civil rights for all religious and ethnic minorities while continuing to advocate for a fundamental realignment of U.S. diplomatic posture in the Middle East.