Jewish Democrats back Michigan A-G Dana Nessel’s decision to skip state party convention

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced she will not attend the upcoming state Democratic Party convention, citing fears of harassment and a lack of welcome due to antisemitism within the party. Nessel stated during an antisemitism roundtable that she feels unsafe and anticipates being harassed, yelled at, or booed.

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I don’t feel safe going. I feel like my presence isn’t going to be welcome. I don’t want to get chased around. I don’t want to get harassed. I don’t want to get yelled and screamed at. I don’t want to get booed off the stage, irrespective of what I’m saying.

Nessel revealed she filed a formal complaint against a party official who allegedly labeled her a neo-Nazi because of her beliefs. She questioned why such an individual would be more accepted within the party than she is. Her office referred to a livestream of the roundtable for comment.

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Why is this person more accepted in our party than me?

The attorney general's decision comes amid a contentious primary for the Senate seat, particularly between Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed. El-Sayed, a democratic socialist critical of Israel, is reportedly gaining traction despite significant spending against him by pro-Israel groups.

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I don’t blame AG Nessel for not wanting to go and basically put herself in situations that feel untenable in this moment of time and don’t add any value politically, personally.

This situation echoes recent incidents at the Michigan Democratic Party's April endorsement convention, where candidate Haley Stevens was booed. Another candidate reported that an attendee directed an antisemitic slur at her Jewish husband. These events have intensified concerns among Jewish Democrats about the party's internal climate.

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She’s not alone.