Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, the state’s chief law‑enforcement officer since 2019, publicly rebuked Democratic Senate primary candidate Abdul El‑Sayed for his response to the recent attempted terrorist attack on the Temple Israel synagogue in the Detroit metro area. In an interview with The Atlantic’s David Frum, Nessel said she feels unsafe attending the state Democratic convention because of what she described as an “enormous amount of anti‑Semitism within the Democratic Party.”
El‑Sayed’s comments under fire
Federal investigators have linked the gunman to Hezbollah, noting he crashed his vehicle into the synagogue in an effort to kill as many worshippers as possible. El‑Sayed later said, “hurt people hurt people,” a phrase Nessel said was perceived by many as an attempt to excuse the shooter’s motives. She added that the remarks seemed to downplay the murder of more than 100 pre‑K children and the broader threat of domestic terrorism.
Contrast with Nessel’s own response to hate crimes
Nessel recalled her own reaction to the 2019 Christchurch mosque massacre, when she visited a Dearborn mosque, wore a hijab out of respect, and condemned Islamophobia unequivocally. She argued that the same clear condemnation was needed after the Temple Israel attack, without probing the shooter’s mental health or motivations.
Calls for a public retraction
While Nessel praised El‑Sayed for recent outreach to Jewish leaders, she said the candidate has yet to publicly withdraw his statements or acknowledge the harm caused. “I think privately he may regret what he said, but he has not yet said he misspoke or that he now recognizes the damage,” Nessel said. She urged him to meet with Jewish stakeholders, learn more about Jewish religious practices, and correct his misunderstanding of Passover traditions.
Political implications
Despite the criticism, Nessel noted she shares many policy positions with El‑Sayed and does not plan to support Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, whom she described as dangerous for the country’s future. “I have much more in common with Abdul El‑Sayed than with Mike Rogers on personal, philosophical and policy beliefs,” she said.
El‑Sayed’s response
In March, El‑Sayed issued a statement expressing horror and heartbreak over the synagogue attack, affirming that Jewish families have a right to worship in peace and that there is “no room for antisemitism in America.” He pledged solidarity with those who value religious freedom.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within the Michigan Democratic Party over Israel, antisemitism and how elected officials address hate‑motivated violence. As the Senate primary race intensifies, both candidates will likely face further scrutiny from faith‑based groups, family advocates and voters concerned about constitutional protections for religious liberty.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
