Michigan rabbis call to protect Jewish delegates at Democratic convention

Michigan rabbis and other Jewish figures have formally requested increased security for Jewish delegates attending the state Democratic Party's upcoming convention. They delivered a petition to the party chair on Monday, urging him to "ensure the safety" of all attendees and underscoring growing concerns about antisemitism within the Democratic coalition in Michigan.

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ensure the safety

The petition, which garnered approximately 200 signatories, follows Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel's announcement that she would not attend the August 29 convention due to fears of harassment. Nessel, who is Jewish, stated her decision in light of the perceived threat.

"We believe you need to make it clear, publicly, that anyone who chases, screams at, or otherwise harasses Jews at your convention will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," the petition reads, addressing Curtis Hertel, Jr., the state party chair. The letter further notes, "If Jews, including the highest-ranking Jewish state official in Michigan, are intimidated into staying away from your convention, it will not stop there."

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We believe you need to make it clear, publicly, that anyone who chases, screams at, or otherwise harasses Jews at your convention will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Signatories include five rabbis leading congregations across Michigan, representing Reform, Conservative, and Humanistic denominations. A significant number of other signatories hailed from outside the state, including prominent figures like Rafael Medoff, director of the David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies, and Rabbi Etan Tokayer, president of the Rabbinical Council of America.

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If Jews, including the highest-ranking Jewish state official in Michigan, are intimidated into staying away from your convention, it will not stop there.

The petition does not directly mention Abdul El-Sayed, the state's new U.S. Senate nominee, but concerns among Jewish Democrats regarding his past rhetoric on Israel and local Jewish safety issues have been noted. El-Sayed, in his victory speech, acknowledged the importance of Jewish safety, stating, "My commitment to Jewish safety is the same commitment that I have to the safety of my own daughters."

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My commitment to Jewish safety is the same commitment that I have to the safety of my own daughters.