Michigan Jews split in Senate Democratic primary over Israel stance

Michigan's Democratic Senate primary is revealing a significant divide among Jewish voters, largely centered on the candidates' positions regarding Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The race features US Rep. Haley Stevens, a consistent supporter of Israel, and her progressive challenger, Abdul El-Sayed, a former county health official who has labeled Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide."

“

I am very pro-Israel. I’m not pro-[Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, which is part of the whole thing. A lot of my friends who are Jewish have been calling me, trying to get Haley, but it’s like they’re looking at one issue. I don’t think that Israel should take precedence over all the other issues just because somebody’s pro-Israel.

For some voters, like Karen Bick, the issue presents a difficult choice. While compelled by El-Sayed's progressive platform, his rhetoric on Israel makes it difficult for her to support him. Conversely, Stevens' campaign has not provided enough reason for Bick to vote for her, leading to ambivalence. Bick noted that while many Jewish friends are urging her to support Stevens, she believes Israel shouldn't overshadow all other issues.

However, El-Sayed has garnered support from Jewish voters who align with his critical stance on Israel. Barbara Weinberg Barefield, a co-founder of the Detroit chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, actively campaigns for El-Sayed, organizing fundraisers and phone banking. She views his use of the term "genocide" as essential and believes El-Sayed represents the morality and ethics that most Americans desire.

“

We are trying to let people know that there are many Jewish people that support Abdul and support his objectives and support his voice. Justice, equality, and freedom are part of the fabric of me being a Jew and the message that we put forth for ‘Jews for Abdul:’ that he is a candidate that represents our morality, our ethics, and frankly, I think these are the things that most people in this country want.

Similarly, Suzanne Levin, another Jewish resident, switched her support to El-Sayed after another progressive candidate withdrew. She proudly displays an El-Sayed lawn sign and wears a "Jews for Abdul" t-shirt, rejecting accusations that El-Sayed's rhetoric is divisive. The primary underscores the complex and often conflicting viewpoints within the Jewish community regarding US foreign policy and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“

His use of the term ‘genocide’ to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza was an essential component of her support for him.