Former US Vice President Harris urged to discuss Jewish and Israeli security with El-Sayed — Jerusalem Post
A coalition of progressive Jewish leaders and Democrats in the US state of Michigan called on former Vice President Kamala Harris to raise questions about Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s positions on Jewish security and Israel during a joint event. On Sunday, the Nonnegotiable Michigan group, which includes rabbis, cantors and community leaders from the state, sent Harris an open letter, the Jerusalem Post reports.
The letter’s authors noted Harris’s work in combating antisemitism while expressing concern over El-Sayed’s candidacy. According to them, the candidate had an opportunity to respond to their request regarding support for the Jewish community’s basic needs but did not do so.
Coalition’s demands
In the letter, the coalition outlined five principles that, in its view, candidates must support to guarantee the safety of Jews, including Zionists. They concern protecting the right to Jewish identity, upholding Jewish sovereignty in Israel, full political participation and a positive vision for the Middle East.
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The coalition also criticized El-Sayed’s previous statements. Its representatives said he had called Israelis “bloodthirsty,” described US support for Israel as “bought loyalty,” linked Israel to local problems in Michigan and rejected the definition of Israel as a Jewish state.
Roundtable in Detroit
At a press conference, Rabbi Michael Moscovitz of Temple Shir Shalom said the community was alarmed by rhetoric that its representatives consider antisemitic insinuations. Cantor Regina Hayut of Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor said she had been a Democrat all her life but had recently felt alienated from the Democratic Party.
On Tuesday, Harris and El-Sayed held a roundtable in Detroit with medical experts and reproductive rights advocates. The event focused on maternal health, reproductive freedom and mortality among Black mothers. During the recorded public discussion, neither the coalition’s letter nor the controversy surrounding El-Sayed’s previous statements about Israel was discussed. Harris’s office did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.
