Michigan Senate race tests Democrats' hold on Jewish voters over Israel stance

Michigan's upcoming US Senate primary is creating deep unease among some Jewish Democrats, traditionally loyal party members, who are weighing their commitment to the Democratic Party against their support for Israel.

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Winning the Senate and the House is the beginning of a way back to our democracy. It’s really, really important to me.

Joel Tauber, a 92-year-old lifelong Democrat and founding chair of Jewish Federations of North America, expressed his distress over the potential nomination of Abdul El-Sayed, a "staunch Israel critic." Tauber stated that if El-Sayed wins the primary, he would leave the Senate ballot blank, a step he has never taken in his long voting history. "There's no way that I could vote for him," Tauber told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

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I’d sit it out.

The concern extends to prominent Metro Detroit Jewish Democrats who have historically fundraised for the party. Some are now planning fundraisers for the presumptive Republican nominee, former US Rep. Mike Rogers, as a "hedge." Dennis Bernard, national chair of government relations for JFNA and a metro Detroit resident, confirmed that these leaders are "very concerned with where their party's going." He added that if El-Sayed wins, they have made it clear they would support Rogers "financially and with their vote."

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There’s no way that I could vote for him.

These Democrats view El-Sayed's questioning of Israel's status as a Jewish state and his suggestions that support for Israel is financially motivated as an "existential threat" to the national Jewish community. They fear that his potential victory in a purple state, especially following clashes with pro-Palestinian Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib, could embolden similar candidates and foster an unsafe environment for Jews.

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There are leaders in our Jewish community who are longtime, lifelong Democrats and Democratic fundraisers, who are very concerned with where their party’s going.