AJC Detroit Statement on Michigan Senate Election Results

Throughout the Michigan Senate race, we witnessed the continued mainstreaming of divisive rhetoric that too often cast political disagreements in moral absolutes and treated those with differing views as adversaries rather than partners in democratic debate. For many Jews in Michigan who continue to reel from the attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, the tenor of this election season deepened concerns about an increasingly hostile environment in which their identities and values are too often targeted or dismissed.

No voter or candidate's religion, whether Jewish or Muslim, should be weaponized against them. Demonizing any community undermines the values that sustain our democracy. AJC will continue to hold all elected officials accountable for fueling hatred or hostility toward any community.

We recognize the historic significance of Dr. El-Sayed becoming the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, a milestone that reflects the promise of American democracy. As a Jewish organization, we understand the profound importance of seeing one's community represented in government.

Unfortunately this historic moment has been tarnished by the Senator-elect's continued anti-Israel rhetoric that alienates countless Jewish Michiganders and other supporters of the State of Israel, and endangers American Jews.

As a U.S. Senator, El-Sayed will have the responsibility to represent all Michiganders. The Senator-elect proclaimed that America is "big enough for all of us" but his obsessive hostility toward Israel yet again in his victory speech told many Jewish Michiganders and countless others who support Israel that they are not included. Michigan has a proud Jewish community and we will not allow any elected official to exclude us.

In Michigan, across the United States, and around the world, AJC will continue to advocate for the Jewish people, strengthen support for Israel, and bolster the values that underpin like-minded democracies.

AJC is a 501(c)(3) organization and is strictly nonpartisan. AJC does not endorse or oppose candidates for elected office.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, creating trusted partnerships with leaders around the world to ensure Jews and Israel are safe and thriving. Through 40 offices and dozens of partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide, AJC engages leaders in more than 110 countries, empowering those in government, education, partner communities, and the private sector to counter antisemitism and act as allies. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.

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