The Jerusalem Post described the interview as El-Sayed doubling down. During the October 8 debate in Grand Rapids, he refused to say whether Israel or Iran poses a greater threat to the U.S. "That's a ridiculous question," he said. "I think both of them have proven dangerous in their own way. One at risk of attacking us, one getting us into wars we have no business fighting."
Rogers has called El-Sayed's refusal to distinguish Israel from Iran "utterly disqualifying." He said in a statement: "The Jewish community is terrified of Abdul, and how can you blame them?"
El-Sayed has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and has pushed Congress to cut off military aid. He has condemned Hamas as "evil," while describing the Israeli government the same way. Last week, he told MS NOW that even a Netanyahu election loss would not necessarily change his view. "The government of Israel has done nothing but use us," he said.
Jewish Democrats peel away
The comments land on a Jewish community already deeply divided over his candidacy. After the debate, Jewish community leaders told Jewish Insider they were hearing from previously undecided Jewish Democrats who now plan to back Rogers. One leader called El-Sayed's Israel-Iran answer "the defining moment for our community."
Rabbis and other Jewish leaders have called on the Democratic Party to commit to a list of "nonnegotiable" principles for Jewish safety. Michigan state Rep. Noah Arbit, a rising Jewish Democrat, has said he will not endorse El-Sayed because of his primary rhetoric. Other Jewish Democrats, including former Rep. Andy Levin, have signed an open letter backing him.
El-Sayed apologized to the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus in August for earlier remarks. "I made a mistake," he said at the time. "Nobody deserves to have their pain trampled on."
Brotherhood questions linger
The Israel remarks come as El-Sayed also faces persistent questions over alleged family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, based largely on old social media posts by his half-sister. He has called the posts "hearsay" and denied any ties, accusing Rogers of Islamophobic attacks. Rogers has said he is concerned about "the way you think, not the way you pray."
Recent polls show El-Sayed with a narrow lead in the race, which could decide control of the Senate. If elected on November 3, he would be the nation's first Muslim senator.
