Actor Mandy Patinkin has released social media videos urging Jewish voters to support Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, asserting that their "safety" depends on electing him.
In one video, Patinkin stated, "Jewish safety depends on a real multiracial democracy, and Abdul is the one fighting to protect it." He contrasted El-Sayed with his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, claiming Rogers is promoting a political movement that attacks the rights and dignity of certain people, while El-Sayed is the candidate actively defending democracy.
"Jewish safety is tied to the health of our democracy," Patinkin said. "We can’t protect one without protecting the other. And in this Senate race, Abdul is the candidate who understands that and is willing to fight for it."
Patinkin, who is Jewish, also drew parallels between the criticism El-Sayed faces and the historical treatment of Jewish people. "It’s hard for me to hear Muslims and Arabs talked about this way without thinking about our own Jewish history," he said. "We know what it’s like to have people treat your identity as a reason to distrust you, to make you seem threatening just because of who you are."
He encouraged voters to consider who would protect the democracy that has historically kept Jews safe in America, concluding, "Who is going to protect the democracy that has helped keep Jews safe in America? Abdul. Who is going to stand up for the rights of all of us? Abdul."
However, Rabbi Yaakov Menken, managing director of the Coalition for Jewish Values, criticized Patinkin's endorsement. Menken argued that El-Sayed has previously expressed views detrimental to Jewish safety, citing comments made after an attack on a Michigan synagogue where El-Sayed said, "Hurt people, hurt people." Federal investigators stated the alleged attacker was inspired by Hezbollah and intended to kill as many Jewish people as possible.
El-Sayed later apologized for his remarks regarding the synagogue attack. Menken also pointed to El-Sayed's past campaign appearances and his responses when questioned about alleged family ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. "To call Patinkin deluded and naive would be the height of understatement," Menken told Fox News Digital. "El-Sayed's values are not those that made America a great and welcoming country."
Patinkin has previously supported New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has also faced accusations of antisemitism during his campaign and tenure.