Michigan Jewish leaders set out principles for Democrats on security and Israel
In Michigan, United States, 16 initial signatories of the open letter “Nonnegotiable Michigan” called on the Democratic Party to support a set of principles concerning the security of Jews and Israel. The appeal came amid efforts by Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed to win the support of Jewish voters, The Jerusalem Post reports.
The letter does not mention El-Sayed by name, but sets out five principles that, according to the signatories, politicians seeking their votes should demonstrate. The campaign is supported by the Zioness Action Fund, a registered organization affiliated with the progressive Zionist group Zioness.
The letter’s five principles
The principles outlined in the appeal include the security of Jews, including Zionist Jews, in Michigan and throughout America; the right of Jews to define their own identity; Jewish sovereignty in Israel; full participation in U.S. political life; and a positive vision for a better future in the Middle East.
The letter was initiated by Rabbi Josh Whinston of the Reform congregation Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor and Rabbi Aaron Starr of the Conservative congregation Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, a Detroit suburb. Starr is also president of the Michigan Board of Rabbis. According to him, community members repeatedly asked spiritual leaders how they should vote.
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Position on El-Sayed
Whinston, who met privately with El-Sayed, said the candidate has the potential to become a strong and forward-looking leader in Michigan and the United States, but that his vision needs to be more inclusive. Starr, for his part, stressed that voter support is not guaranteed for any political party.
At the end of August, El-Sayed apologized to Jewish Democrats for earlier comments about the attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township. Speaking about the attacker, who lost relatives as a result of an Israeli strike in Lebanon, the candidate said that hurt people hurt others. This prompted a negative reaction in the Jewish community. El-Sayed is meeting with Jewish voters and leaders, and his campaign, according to JTA sources, plans to hire a Jewish community liaison.
The Nonnegotiable Michigan campaign did not endorse any candidate. At the same time, another group of Michigan Jewish leaders is urging voters not to vote for El-Sayed and to support his Republican opponent, former U.S. House of Representatives member Mike Rogers.
