Three years after October 7, Jewish voters need reassurance from our Democratic leaders

Writing ahead of the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks, a rabbi argues that Jewish voters in Michigan, historically aligned with Democrats, feel unsettled by rhetoric from Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, including descriptions of Israel as 'bloodthirsty' and fundraising emails that didn't mention Hamas's attack or the hostages. The author contrasts this with concerns about Republican nominee Mike Rogers, including a major donor who has said only Christians should hold political leadership.

The piece cites a March incident in which a truck rammed Temple Israel in West Bloomfield while 140 children were inside, and situates that alongside a rise in antisemitic acts since 2023 as the backdrop for the writer's unease. A group called Nonnegotiable Michigan has reportedly launched, asking candidates to affirm five commitments to Jewish voters, with El-Sayed specifically invited to meet with the community.

The op-ed is explicit that this is an appeal rather than a departure: the author says El-Sayed's domestic platform still resonates and that holding him accountable 'is not the same as writing them off.' No response from the El-Sayed or Rogers campaigns is included in the piece.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.