Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed apologized to Jewish Democrats on Aug. 29 for comments he made after a March synagogue attack, acknowledging his remarks hurt people hurt people
were misinterpreted as justifying the violence.
El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, addressed the state’s Jewish Democratic Caucus at a convention in Lansing, where he reiterated his condemnation of the March 13 attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township. The incident, in which a man killed a security guard and died by suicide after ramming his vehicle into the synagogue, had drawn scrutiny over El-Sayed’s initial response. He later clarified that his statement—hurt people hurt people
—was meant to provide context for the attacker’s actions, not to excuse them.
Apology and Context
El-Sayed’s comments initially sparked backlash, with critics accusing him of downplaying the attack. What I was trying to do was offer context for why it happened, but it wasn’t the time for context,
he said. The apology was part of broader efforts to mend relationships with Jewish voters ahead of the November election, where he faces Republican Mike Rogers.
Reactions from Jewish Leaders
State Sen. Jeremy Moss, a Jewish Democrat from Bloomfield Township, attended a separate Jewish Caucus event on Aug. 30 and described El-Sayed’s apology as something that a lot of people in that room needed to hear.
Moss, who has not yet endorsed El-Sayed, noted the candidate’s efforts to make sure all voices in the 11th District are heard.
Election Implications
El-Sayed’s campaign has faced scrutiny over his associations, including with left-wing commentator Hasan Piker, who has made controversial remarks about Israel. During the convention, El-Sayed avoided questions about Piker, stating, If you want to make this race about a streamer in California, I just think you’re missing the boat.
He shifted focus to issues like affordability and healthcare in Michigan, linking them to Donald Trump’s disastrous policies.
Republican opponent Mike Rogers criticized El-Sayed’s apology as insincere, calling it too little, too late
in a post on X. Michiganders see you for exactly who you are: A Conman,
Rogers wrote. El-Sayed, meanwhile, urged Democrats to come together as a party
ahead of the general election.
Ongoing Controversies
Despite the apology, some Jewish Democrats remain skeptical. At the convention, a delegate whose family was inside the synagogue during the attack questioned the impact of public figures’ statements on Jewish safety. Our safety as Jews in America relies on what’s said by public figures,
he said.
El-Sayed’s approach to Israel and the Middle East has also drawn criticism. When asked about supporting a two-state solution, he emphasized a process-focused approach, stating, It’s about starting with a process and saying, ‘How do we dignify equal rights to peace, dignity, and self-determination for Palestinian people and Jewish Israelis alike?’
However, his path to securing broader Democratic support remains challenging, as figures like U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten have publicly questioned his connections to controversial figures.
