El-Sayed apologizes for remarks after Michigan synagogue attack amid antisemitism criticism

LANSING, MICHIGAN: Democratic nominee for US Senate in Michigan Abdul El-Sayed, on Saturday, August 29, apologized to the state’s Jewish Democratic Caucus for comments he made following an attack on a synagogue in March.

Speaking to reporters after addressing the caucus at a Democratic Party convention in Lansing, El-Sayed apologised for trying to provide context for the attack while people were grieving. The apology comes as the 41-year-old works to unify Michigan Democrats ahead of a general election against Republican nominee Mike Rogers in November. 

Abdul El-Sayed apologizes for remarks after Temple Israel attack

The controversy stems from an attack on Temple Israel, a synagogue in a Detroit suburb, in March. Accused Ayman Mohammad Ghazali allegedly rammed a vehicle into the building and opened fire on a security guard before taking his own life. He had lost four relatives in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon the previous week.

El-Sayed condemned the attack at the time but also referenced Ghazali’s family circumstances, saying, “Hurt people hurt people.” Critics argued that the comment could be interpreted as providing a justification for the attack.

“My comments may have been misconstrued to justify something I did not mean to justify,” El-Sayed told reporters on Saturday. “To anyone who feels like my comments might have been hurtful, I’m really sorry. That was not my intention." 

He said he had been attempting to explain the circumstances surrounding the attack but acknowledged that the timing was inappropriate: “What I was trying to do was offer context for why it happened, but it wasn’t the time for context, and you don’t ever want to trample somebody’s pain.”

The apology came during a party convention as Democrats seek to move beyond a contentious primary in which El-Sayed defeated US Rep Haley Stevens. His campaign now faces a general election against Rogers in a contest that could affect which party controls the Senate.

Trump has accused Abdul El-Sayed of hating Jewish people and Israel

President Donald Trump has also attacked El-Sayed following his primary victory, accusing him of hostility toward Israel and Jewish people. “This guy hates Jews. Somebody said, ‘Oh that’s a little strong.’ No, he hates Jews and he hates Israel,” the Republican leader said earlier this month during an event in Las Vegas. 

El-Sayed, a physician and former public health official, has criticized US military support for Israel during the war in Gaza and has called for greater federal spending on domestic priorities, including health care. His campaign has also focused on progressive policies such as "Medicare for All" and reducing the influence of corporate money in politics.

After winning the Democratic primary, he sought to reassure Jewish voters and supporters of his commitment to their safety. “To all of my sisters and brothers of the Jewish faith... I want you to know that my commitment to your safety, my commitment to Jewish safety, is the same commitment that I have to the safety of my own daughters,” El-Sayed said.