Lansing, MI — A coalition of Michigan Jewish leaders is increasing pressure on Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed to endorse five commitments concerning Jewish safety, identity and participation in political life as the state’s closely watched Senate race enters its final weeks.
Nonnegotiable Michigan said 17 Democratic political leaders have joined its campaign, including University of Michigan Regent Mark Bernstein, state Rep. Noah Arbit and Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus Vice Chair David Kramer. The organization says its effort is separate from debates over Israeli military policy or U.S. foreign aid and is intended to ensure that Jewish Democrats, including Zionists, remain welcome within the party.
Its five requested commitments include protecting Jewish safety, recognizing Jews’ right to define their own identity, supporting Jewish sovereignty in Israel, and ensuring Zionist Jews can participate fully in American politics.
Rabbi Josh Whinston, a progressive Reform rabbi involved with the group, accused El-Sayed of using antisemitic language and “dog whistles.” El-Sayed’s campaign had not publicly accepted the commitments or responded to The Center Square’s requests for comment.
Jewish opinion surrounding El-Sayed is not uniform. Separately, more than 600 Michigan Jews signed a letter supporting his Senate campaign, while other prominent Jewish Democrats have endorsed him despite disagreements over Israel.
El-Sayed, who would become the first Muslim U.S. senator, faces Republican Mike Rogers in November.
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