DETROIT (VINnews) — A coalition of Michigan rabbis and Jewish leaders has issued an open letter outlining five “nonnegotiable” principles that Democratic candidates must affirm to earn their votes, an effort organizers said is directed at U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed even though it does not name him.
The letter, released this week under the banner Nonnegotiable Michigan and backed by the Zioness Action Fund, lists as nonnegotiable: Jewish safety, including for Zionist Jews, in Michigan and across America; the right of Jews to define their own identities; Jewish sovereignty in Israel; full Jewish participation in American political life; and an affirmative vision for a better future in the Middle East.
“Every constituency must occasionally remind its party that support is earned, not owed,” the letter states. “This is a good faith effort to make our needs unmistakably clear.”
Initial signers include more than a dozen rabbis and cantors. Among the organizers are Rabbi Aaron Starr, president of the Michigan Board of Rabbis and spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, and Rabbi Josh Whinston of Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor.
El-Sayed, a former Detroit public health official, narrowly defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in the Aug. 4 Democratic primary after a campaign marked by sharp disagreement over Israel. He has criticized Israeli policy and told The New York Times he does not “believe in ethno-states.” Organizers said some of his rhetoric and that of his allies has left Jews feeling unsafe.
El-Sayed has since met with Jewish leaders and apologized for comments after a March attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township. Starr said El-Sayed has taken steps forward but “just not far enough.” Whinston said he has spoken directly with the nominee and wants to “continue to move the needle.”
El-Sayed faces Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers in the Nov. 3 general election in a contest that could help decide control of the Senate. The letter is a demand for clearer commitments, not an endorsement or a final electoral judgment.
The campaign is asking Michigan Jews to sign a petition calling on candidates to meet the stated baseline needs.