← Latest briefing

Politics

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel criticizes Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed over synagogue attack response

Dana Nessel questioned El-Sayed's remarks following an attempted attack on a Michigan synagogue and cited concerns about antisemitism within her party.

The short version

  • Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel publicly criticized Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed for describing an attempted synagogue attack with the phrase 'hurt people hurt people.'
  • Nessel argued the remark excused domestic terrorism against Jewish worshippers and urged El-Sayed to publicly retract the statement.
  • Despite her criticisms and stated concerns about antisemitism in her party, Nessel affirmed she shares common political ground with El-Sayed and opposes Republican candidate Mike Rogers.

Key facts

  • Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel criticized Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed for using the phrase 'hurt people hurt people' when responding to an attempted terrorist attack on Temple Israel.[Fox News]
  • Nessel called on El-Sayed to publicly retract his post-attack remarks and to further educate himself on Jewish history, religion, and Israel.[Fox News]
  • Nessel expressed concern about antisemitism within the Democratic Party and stated she does not feel safe attending her state party's convention.[Fox News]
  • El-Sayed released a statement in March saying he was horrified and heartbroken by the synagogue attack, emphasizing that there is no room for antisemitism in America.[Fox News]
  • Nessel stated that she aligns much more closely with El-Sayed's policies than with Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, whom she refuses to support.[Fox News]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether Abdul El-Sayed will publicly retract or revise his earlier statements following Nessel's public remarks.[Fox News]

Sources