Overview
- A coalition of more than a dozen Michigan rabbis, cantors and Jewish lay leaders launched the 'Nonnegotiable Michigan' petition on Tuesday to press Democrats, a move widely aimed at nominee Abdul El‑Sayed.
- The document lists five specific demands that include unconditional condemnation of threats to Jewish safety, recognition of Jewish self‑definition, support for Jewish sovereignty in Israel, backing for a two‑state outcome if negotiated by both sides, and full participation for Zionist and non‑Zionist Jews in U.S. political life.
- El‑Sayed has apologized for past remarks about the March Temple Israel attack and has held private talks with some organizers, but he has not publicly accepted the petition’s terms or made the concrete policy pledges leaders are seeking.
- The campaign has coincided with visible shifts in Jewish political behavior in Michigan, including a separate petition of more than 400 Jews pledging support for Republican Mike Rogers and public endorsements of Rogers by some Jewish figures.
- Organizers say the effort responds to fears for community safety and identity after the synagogue attack and could force Democrats to clarify Israel policy and outreach in a state where roughly 100,000 Jewish voters could influence the closely contested Senate race.