Gaza support emerges as key issue in Michigan Senate race

The contentious race for Michigan’s Senate seat is pivotal in determining which party controls Congress during Trump’s term. Democrats are striving to retain the seat, while Republicans aim to seize it. Recent polls suggest a remarkably tight competition.

The Democratic candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, a physician, would become the nation’s first Muslim senator if elected on November 3rd. Following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, El-Sayed has repeatedly characterized Israel’s military operation in Gaza as genocide, a claim Israel vehemently denies. He narrowly defeated a pro-Israel Democrat in the primaries.

His Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, a former FBI agent and 14-year House Representative, opposes reducing U.S. military aid to Israel, citing it as a matter of national security.

Michigan holds the largest percentage of Arab Americans in the U.S., alongside a significant Jewish population that has historically supported Israel. These groups have been vital to the Democratic Party.

However, in 2024, frustration over Democratic foreign policy in the Middle East led some Arab and Muslim voters to launch the “Undecideds” campaign, with over 100,000 withdrawing their support during the primaries. This demonstrated their discontent with then-President Joe Biden’s unconditional support for Israel. When Kamala Harris secured the presidential nomination, voters like Luqman felt betrayed.

“I was furious because all my life I’ve been a Democrat, and not only did they not say ‘ceasefire’ or try to stop the genocide, but they specifically stood firm and said, ‘We haven’t done anything wrong. We’re going to continue our policies’,” Luqman explained, adding that she subsequently campaigned for Trump.

Despite now identifying as a Republican, Luqman is a strong supporter of Democratic Senate candidate El-Sayed.

Arab-American voter Amer Zahar believes the 2024 elections marked a turning point, allowing a pro-Palestinian candidate like El-Sayed to gain traction. “The Democratic Party hasn’t always represented me, and I don’t think it always represents our community,” Zahar stated.

However, concerns are also being voiced by some within the Jewish community regarding El-Sayed’s ability to protect them. Following a March attack on Temple Israel Synagogue, El-Sayed stated, “People who are hurt hurt more people.” The attacker had lost family members in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. He later apologized, claiming he did not intend to justify the attack, but the statement remains controversial.

Aaron Starr, president of the Michigan Board of Rabbis, has publicly announced he will not vote for El-Sayed. “That was a low blow,” Starr said. “Much of our community has voted Democratic and now feels that the language and actions of some Democratic candidates are jeopardizing their safety.”

Some long-time Democrats, both Muslim and Jewish, are now considering voting for the Republican candidate or abstaining from the election altogether. Jordan Acker, a lawyer and University of Michigan member, stated, “As a Democrat, I have to believe that the person I vote for respects me, my political ideas, and my existence.” Acker, who has known El-Sayed for 20 years, is unsure whether he will vote for his former classmate.