El-Sayed garners first Senate candidate endorsement from anti-Zionist Jewish organization

Washington Message

Washington – Said Arikat – 7/3/2026

News Analysis

In a move with political implications extending beyond Michigan, the organization "Jewish Voice for Peace Action" announced its endorsement of Dr. Abdul Rahman El-Sayed in the Democratic Party's Senate primary race, making him the first candidate for this position to receive support from the anti-Zionist Jewish organization since the establishment of its political arm, according to the progressive website "The Intercept."

This endorsement comes at a time when the Democratic primaries are witnessing a remarkable rise of candidates who adopt more critical stances on Israeli policies and more supportive of Palestinian rights, reflecting increasing shifts within the Democratic Party's popular base, especially among youth and the progressive movement.

In a statement to the website, Beth Miller, the organization's political director, said that Abdul Rahman El-Sayed "has consistently and unapologetically advocated for Palestinian rights and freedom, and has shown a moral consistency that places justice and equality at the heart of his campaign," considering that his election would represent an opportunity to reshape American foreign policy to serve freedom and justice instead of supporting wars and discrimination.

Heated Three-Way Race

Abdul Rahman El-Sayed is facing a tough primary election on August 5th, against Representative Haley Stevens, who is supported by the Democratic establishment and pro-Israel lobbies, foremost among them the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), in addition to State Senator Mallory McMorrow, who presents herself as a progressive and enjoys the support of prominent figures, including Senator Elizabeth Warren.

In contrast, Abdul Rahman El-Sayed enjoys the endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Chris Van Hollen, along with a number of members of the progressive "Squad" in Congress, including Rashida Tlaib and Summer Lee, which has strengthened his position as the most left-leaning candidate among the contenders.

Gaza at the Heart of the Electoral Battle

Although economic issues, such as inflation, rising living costs, and healthcare, continue to top voters' concerns, the war in Gaza has become one of the most prominent issues defining candidates' positions, especially within progressive circles.

Abdul Rahman El-Sayed was among the first politicians to strongly criticize the Israeli war of extermination on Gaza and demanded an end to unconditional military support for Israel, a stance that earned him the support of pro-Palestinian movements, but at the same time exposed him to attacks from his political opponents.

"Jewish Voice for Peace" believes that defending Palestinian rights has become an integral part of the progressive agenda within the Democratic Party, and that voters are now refusing to separate social justice within the United States from the defense of human rights abroad, as stated in all the organization's statements.

Growing Role of Anti-Zionist Jewish Movements

The organization has emerged over the past two years as one of the most prominent drivers of protests against the war on Gaza, organizing sit-ins and demonstrations in universities, inside the Capitol building, and at major financial institutions, demanding an end to US military aid to Israel.

The organization is also one of the leading supporters of the "Stop the Bombs" bill, which seeks to prevent the supply of weapons used in military operations to Israel, a project that has become an important criterion for measuring the positions of progressive candidates.

Beth Miller (to The Intercept) affirmed that since the establishment of its political arm in 2019, the organization had not found any Senate candidate worthy of its endorsement until Abdul Rahman El-Sayed's campaign emerged, considering his positions to represent a qualitative shift in Democratic political discourse.

Criticism Campaigns and Political Pressure

Abdul Rahman El-Sayed's campaign was not without controversy, after he hosted political commentator Hassan Baker at electoral events at Michigan universities, which drew criticism from some moderate Democrats who considered the move inappropriate following an attack on a synagogue in the state.

His opponent, Mallory McMorrow, accused El-Sayed of not considering the feelings of the Jewish community, while he emphasized his explicit condemnation of the synagogue attack, asserting that combating antisemitism should not be used as a means to silence criticism of Israeli policies.

For her part, Beth Miller said that Abdul Rahman El-Sayed grew up in a Jewish community in Michigan and has close human relations with members of that community, adding that his campaign rejects exploiting the security of Jews or Palestinians for political gain.

Polls Give Him the Edge

Recent polls indicate that Abdul Rahman El-Sayed is narrowly ahead of his rivals in the primary elections, and the results of a poll conducted by "Zenith Research" and reviewed by Al-Quds newspaper's correspondent showed that he has better chances of winning the general election against the expected Republican candidate Mike Rogers.

The poll also revealed that 46 percent of Michigan voters support halting all US arms shipments to Israel, a position consistent with Abdul Rahman El-Sayed's political program, while McMorrow supports halting only some offensive weapons, and Stevens supports continued military aid without conditions.

In his first comment on the endorsement, Abdul Rahman El-Sayed said that "Jewish Voice for Peace" has proven that combating antisemitism and defending Palestinian lives and dignity stem from a single commitment to shared human values, expressing his pride in this support.

The endorsement of an anti-Zionist Jewish organization for a Senate candidate represents a striking political precedent, not only because of its symbolism but also because it reflects a gradual change within a segment of the American Jewish community, which is increasingly distinguishing between Jewish identity and unconditional support for the Israeli government. This shift, though still limited compared to the traditional influence of pro-Israel lobbies, indicates that the internal debate about Gaza is no longer confined to academic circles or student movements but has begun to find its way into political and electoral institutions, which may redraw alliances within the Democratic Party in the coming years.

The Michigan battle reveals that the Palestinian issue has transformed from a foreign policy matter into an issue that directly affects internal electoral calculations. Candidates are no longer competing only on the economy, healthcare, and immigration, but their stance on the war in Gaza and military aid to Israel has become an important factor in determining voter trends, especially among youth, Arab Americans, and progressives. If this dynamic continues in future elections, the Democratic establishment may find itself forced to reconsider its traditional rhetoric on Israel, in order to preserve the unity and cohesion of its electoral base.

Despite the momentum surrounding Abdul Rahman El-Sayed's campaign, the path to the Senate remains fraught with challenges. State elections differ fundamentally from local district elections, as they require building broad coalitions that extend beyond progressive bases. Furthermore, the financial resources and organizational influence enjoyed by pro-Israel lobbying groups will remain influential factors in the final stage of the race. Nevertheless, the mere fact that a candidate with these positions has reached the forefront of the competition reflects a political shift that is difficult to ignore and may be an indicator of a reshaping of the priorities of a significant portion of Democratic voters.