Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, issued an apology Saturday to Jewish Democrats for remarks he made in response to a March attack on a synagogue near Detroit. Speaking at the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus meeting during the state party convention in Lansing, El-Sayed said he regretted including the phrase "hurt people hurt people" in a video statement issued shortly after the incident, acknowledging that his attempt to provide broader context was misguided and might have caused pain.
The attack targeted Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, where a man drove a truck into the synagogue and injured a security guard. Authorities identified the assailant as Ayman Mohamed Ghazali, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Lebanon, who reportedly had lost family members in an Israeli military operation earlier that year. El-Sayed initially condemned the attack, stating that violence against innocent people is never justified, while also referencing the cyclical nature of violence.
Reflecting on the incident several months later, El-Sayed said he should have issued an unequivocal condemnation without further explanation. “I made a mistake,” he said. “I should have issued a statement, of course condemning it, and it just should have been the full stop.” He expressed regret for any unintended disrespect to the pain experienced by the affected community.
El-Sayed’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns among some Jewish Democrats about his positions on Israel and his associations. During the Democratic primary, El-Sayed faced criticism over his past comments describing the Israeli government as "evil" and his attacks on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Additionally, his ties to Hasan Piker, a streamer known for controversial statements about Israel, contributed to unease within the community. El-Sayed campaigned alongside Piker early in the primary but later distanced himself in the general election campaign.
State Representative Noah Arbit, who founded Michigan’s Democratic Jewish Caucus, called for El-Sayed to sever all ties with Piker, characterizing the streamer as a symbol of extremist and authoritarian rhetoric tolerated within El-Sayed’s coalition. Conversely, Jessica Alexander, chair of the caucus, acknowledged continuing concerns about Piker but expressed confidence in El-Sayed as a candidate and noted the campaign’s recognition that outreach to the Jewish community remains necessary.
Recent tensions intensified after Piker issued a warning suggesting that if American Jews continue to emphasize their support for Israel, hostile actions might be directed at Jewish Americans themselves—a statement that sparked additional debate within Democratic ranks. El-Sayed distanced himself from Piker’s remarks, stating that only he and his campaign representatives speak on behalf of his campaign, reaffirming his commitment to the safety of Jewish Americans and all constituents equally.
El-Sayed's Senate race against Republican former Representative Mike Rogers is viewed as a competitive contest that could influence control of the chamber. Polling indicates a tight race in a state with sizable Jewish and Muslim populations, where debates over Israel have significantly shaped the Democratic primary and general election dynamics. Several Jewish Democrats, including Jeremy Moss—who did not initially endorse El-Sayed—acknowledged the sincerity of El-Sayed’s apology and remained engaged with the campaign.