Michigan Rabbis Issue Demands to El-Sayed, Democrats for Votes

Politics10 sourcesSep 9, 2026

SplitFactual rigor 55/100

The Story

Liberal Michigan rabbis and other Jewish leaders are calling on the Democratic Party to agree to a list of nonnegotiable principles regarding Jewish safety and Israel to earn their votes in the U.S. Senate race.

The "Nonnegotiable Michigan" open letter, signed by more than a dozen Jewish clergy, outlines five principles. These include "Jewish safety (including for Zionist Jews) in Michigan and across America," "Our right to define our own Jewish identities," and "Jewish sovereignty in Israel." Rabbi Josh Whinston, who heads Reform Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor, stated that Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed has the potential to be an amazing, visionary leader but his vision needs to be more inclusive.

The campaign is backed by Zioness Action Fund, a progressive Zionist group. A different subset of Michigan Jewish leaders are urging their community to reject El-Sayed and vote for his Republican opponent, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers. Abdul El-Sayed frequently attends the Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor mosque. The mosque's imam, Abdelhamid Algizawi, has made statements against homosexuality, calling it against human nature and arguing it cannot bring stability to life.

Algizawi also complained about Jews teaching Islam in American universities. Algizawi described El-Sayed's primary win as a very big victory for the Muslims and stated it is an obligation for Muslims to vote for El-Sayed in November to change the society. El-Sayed won the Democratic primary last month against Haley Stevens. He has campaigned on an anti-monopoly platform, money in your pocket, and "Medicare for All."

What they agree on

Liberal Michigan rabbis and Jewish leaders have issued a list of "nonnegotiable" principles for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and the Democratic Party to earn their votes.
The "Nonnegotiable Michigan" letter, signed by over a dozen Jewish clergy, includes demands for Jewish safety, the right to define Jewish identities, Jewish sovereignty in Israel, and full participation in American political life.
Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, running against Republican opponent former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.
El-Sayed frequently attends the Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor mosque, where the imam, Abdelhamid Algizawi, has made statements against homosexuality and about Jews teaching Islam.
Imam Algizawi has called El-Sayed's primary win a "very big victory for the Muslims" and stated it is an "obligation" for Muslims to vote for El-Sayed in November.

Where they split

The Washington Free Beacon and Power Line focus heavily on the statements made by Imam Abdelhamid Algizawi from El-Sayed's mosque, including his views on homosexuality and Jews teaching Islam.
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency and The Hill emphasize the "nonnegotiable" demands from Michigan rabbis and Jewish leaders to El-Sayed and the Democratic Party.
Common Dreams and The American Prospect provide details on El-Sayed's campaign platform, including his "The Price Is Wrong" video on Trump's tariffs and his anti-monopoly stance.
The Arab Weekly frames the story around Republicans making Islam a campaign issue with El-Sayed at the center, a framing not explicitly used by other outlets.