Overview
- Internal campaign footage released by The Midwesterner shows Steve Gold, co‑founder of ‘Jews for Abdul,’ warning that El‑Sayed has been ineffective in answering whether Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state.
- El‑Sayed has repeatedly used public forums to criticize Israeli policy and has described the country with terms such as “genocide” and “apartheid,” positions that many Jewish leaders say pushed some voters toward Republican Mike Rogers.
- When pressed about Israel by reporters, El‑Sayed suggested the focus partly stems from his Muslim name and faith and has also used speeches to argue that Muslim American identity is compatible with US belonging.
- Republicans have seized the issue to court Jewish and moderate voters and both campaigns are preparing heavy fall advertising and two televised debates on October 8 and October 21.
- Coverage of the story differs by outlet with right‑leaning publications highlighting El‑Sayed’s past remarks and organizing tensions and left‑leaning outlets emphasizing his outreach on Islamophobia and his focus on domestic issues.