Blab Politics
Michigan Rabbis Issue Petition Demanding Israel Support from Democratic Senate Nominee
A coalition of Michigan rabbis and Jewish community leaders has circulated a petition demanding that any Democratic candidate for the state’s 2026 U.S. Senate seat adopt five “non‑negotiable” positions on Israel and Jewish safety. First reported by the New York Times, the document is widely understood to target Abdul El‑Sayed, the Democratic nominee who won the primary against U.S. Representative Haley Stevens.
The petition lays out five concrete demands. First, candidates must recognize Israel as a legitimate Jewish state. Second, they must back a two‑state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. Third, they must commit to full political participation for American Jews. Fourth, they must denounce rhetoric that frames Israel as an ethnostate or denies its right to exist. Fifth, they must issue an unequivocal condemnation of threats to Jewish safety. The authors argue that any “cleverly worded arguments that return the Jewish people to statelessness and powerlessness” are “genocidal” and unacceptable.
El‑Sayed’s record on Israel has become a flashpoint for Jewish voters. In July, he told the New York Times that he does not believe in “ethno‑states” and declined to affirm Israel’s right to exist. He also downplayed the March 12, 2026, vehicle‑ramming and shooting attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, suggesting that many residents of Dearborn, a heavily Arab‑American city, support Hezbollah. In a subsequent interview, he avoided a full condemnation of the attack, saying that “hurt people, hurt people.” After winning the primary, he apologized for the remarks, stating he wishes he could “walk the comments all the way back.”
The petition was signed by Rabbi Aaron Starr, president of the Michigan Board of Rabbis, and 14 of his colleagues. While it does not name El‑Sayed directly, it is widely perceived as aimed at him. The document also notes that more than 400 Michigan Jews have signed a separate petition pledging support for Republican nominee Mike Rogers. Among those signatories are prominent community figures, including Asher Lopatin, a lifelong Democrat who has publicly backed Rogers.
Michigan’s Jewish population is roughly 100,000—enough to sway a competitive Senate contest. The state is the only open seat held by a Democrat in 2026, and Republicans have not won a Senate race there since 1994. The petition’s demands underscore the political stakes of Israel policy for Michigan voters and highlight the divide within the Jewish community between those who view El‑Sayed’s positions as a threat to Jewish security and those who see his progressive platform as a broader strength.
The petition’s release comes as the Senate race moves into the final weeks of campaigning. El‑Sayed has not yet responded publicly to the document, and Rogers’ campaign has not issued a statement. The petition’s authors have called for a baseline commitment on Jewish safety and Israel, warning that “scapegoating Jews for the suffering of our fellow Americans is bigotry.” Whether El‑Sayed will adjust his rhetoric or whether the petition will influence Jewish voter turnout remains to be seen.
At present, the petition remains a pressure tool rather than a formal endorsement. The next steps for the candidates will likely involve addressing the concerns of the Jewish community and clarifying their positions on Israel. The outcome of this debate may shape the narrative of the race and affect how Jewish voters in Michigan decide between the Democratic and Republican nominees.
The petition lays out five concrete demands. First, candidates must recognize Israel as a legitimate Jewish state. Second, they must back a two‑state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. Third, they must commit to full political participation for American Jews. Fourth, they must denounce rhetoric that frames Israel as an ethnostate or denies its right to exist. Fifth, they must issue an unequivocal condemnation of threats to Jewish safety. The authors argue that any “cleverly worded arguments that return the Jewish people to statelessness and powerlessness” are “genocidal” and unacceptable.
El‑Sayed’s record on Israel has become a flashpoint for Jewish voters. In July, he told the New York Times that he does not believe in “ethno‑states” and declined to affirm Israel’s right to exist. He also downplayed the March 12, 2026, vehicle‑ramming and shooting attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, suggesting that many residents of Dearborn, a heavily Arab‑American city, support Hezbollah. In a subsequent interview, he avoided a full condemnation of the attack, saying that “hurt people, hurt people.” After winning the primary, he apologized for the remarks, stating he wishes he could “walk the comments all the way back.”
The petition was signed by Rabbi Aaron Starr, president of the Michigan Board of Rabbis, and 14 of his colleagues. While it does not name El‑Sayed directly, it is widely perceived as aimed at him. The document also notes that more than 400 Michigan Jews have signed a separate petition pledging support for Republican nominee Mike Rogers. Among those signatories are prominent community figures, including Asher Lopatin, a lifelong Democrat who has publicly backed Rogers.
Michigan’s Jewish population is roughly 100,000—enough to sway a competitive Senate contest. The state is the only open seat held by a Democrat in 2026, and Republicans have not won a Senate race there since 1994. The petition’s demands underscore the political stakes of Israel policy for Michigan voters and highlight the divide within the Jewish community between those who view El‑Sayed’s positions as a threat to Jewish security and those who see his progressive platform as a broader strength.
The petition’s release comes as the Senate race moves into the final weeks of campaigning. El‑Sayed has not yet responded publicly to the document, and Rogers’ campaign has not issued a statement. The petition’s authors have called for a baseline commitment on Jewish safety and Israel, warning that “scapegoating Jews for the suffering of our fellow Americans is bigotry.” Whether El‑Sayed will adjust his rhetoric or whether the petition will influence Jewish voter turnout remains to be seen.
At present, the petition remains a pressure tool rather than a formal endorsement. The next steps for the candidates will likely involve addressing the concerns of the Jewish community and clarifying their positions on Israel. The outcome of this debate may shape the narrative of the race and affect how Jewish voters in Michigan decide between the Democratic and Republican nominees.
