Lansing, Michigan — Michigan Democrats are increasingly calling the war in Gaza a genocide, reflecting a broader shift within the national party toward stronger criticism of Israel’s military actions. At Michigan State University, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed told students that his long-standing position distinguishes him from primary rival Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who has more recently adopted the term. El-Sayed argued that the scale of civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza requires moral clarity from lawmakers.
The movement intensified last week when U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib introduced House Resolution 876, co-sponsored by 20 Democratic lawmakers, declaring that actions by the Israeli government constitute genocide. The proposal also urges the United States to meet its obligations under the U.N. Genocide Convention, though it faces steep odds in the GOP-controlled House. Tlaib said that ceasefire announcements have not stopped Palestinian casualties, asserting that U.S.-supplied weapons continue to fuel the conflict.
State-level Democrats echoed those concerns. Michigan House members Erin Byrnes, Alabas Farhat, and Dylan Wegela introduced a resolution pushing the state’s congressional delegation to oppose weapons transfers to Israel and support humanitarian relief for Gaza. Although unlikely to advance in the Republican-led chamber, the sponsors said their communities view the issue as an urgent moral mandate.
Candidates in statewide races are also shifting. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and McMorrow have both recently endorsed labeling Israel’s actions as genocide, while U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens continues to strongly support Israel.
El-Sayed said he welcomed others joining the effort, calling Gaza a “moral Rorschach test” for American politics.
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