Abdul El-Sayed , Democratic candidate for US Senate in Michigan, distanced himself from Hasan Piker on Monday, August 24, who suggested that some pro-Israel rhetoric may lead to backlash against American Jews. The controversy has the potential to complicate El-Sayed’s campaign.
During a livestream, Piker argued against the idea that opposing Israel is antisemitic. This is particularly true for communities that have been intimidated for their beliefs in the past.
He said that American Jews are not uniformly supportive of Israel , many “Jewish institutions” are “teaching people the idea that Jews are monolithic” and “it’s a very dangerous mode of propaganda. “If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone is going to come around and take action, not against the state of Israel mind you, but against American Jews,” he said. El-Sayed said in a statement later that day, “I believe all Americans deserve the right to advocate for what they believe without fear of violence. “And while politicians and pundits try to make this race about a Twitch streamer, we’re going to be talking about gas, groceries, good schools and healthcare,” El-Sayed further said.
Meanwhile, following Piker’s remarks, New York Democrat Hakeem Jeffries slammed him in a scathing statement. “There is zero justification for threats against the safety of our Jewish brothers and sisters at a moment of rising hate.
“The malicious claim that American Jews are inviting violence against themselves is dangerous and antisemitic,” he said on social media . “El-Sayed doesn’t have the guts to disavow his running mate,” Rogers said, adding that the Democratic nominee is “unfit to represent our state.”
