Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has urged a gathering of Jewish Democrats to prioritize the needs of "the rest of humanity" above their own "safety and security," a sentiment captured in a video from a private event.
Speaking at an August 30 gathering hosted by the Michigan Democratic Party's Jewish Caucus, Nessel, who is Jewish, invoked the story of Queen Esther to argue that Jewish Democrats have a "moral imperative to place the needs of the world above even our own self-interest." She encouraged attendees to "sacrifice the comfort, safety and security and even the very future of our own people in exchange for the opportunity to save the rest of humanity."
The comments underscore divisions within the Democratic Party in Michigan, a key battleground state, as many Jewish voters report feeling conflicted due to rising anti-Israel rhetoric from progressive candidates.
Nessel also reportedly questioned the value of defending Israel if climate change renders the planet uninhabitable. "What good is defending the historic homeland of our ancestors and demanding that candidates acknowledge its right to exist if the planet upon which it rests is no longer inhabitable?" she asked.
She characterized supporting former President Donald Trump as an "abdication of our responsibilities as Jews," arguing that Jewish tradition calls for "compassionate action toward others" rather than "blind obedience to the world's biggest and most dangerous fool."
While acknowledging the frustration some Jewish Democrats feel toward rhetoric that equates Zionism with racism, Nessel also stated that the Republican Party and its loyalty to Trump pose a significant threat. She criticized Republicans for focusing on cultural issues instead of matters like wealth inequality and artificial intelligence.
Nessel's remarks have drawn criticism from some observers. Hen Mazzig, author and senior fellow at the Tel Aviv Institute, stated that while Esther risked her safety for the Jewish people's survival, she did not risk them to save others, suggesting Nessel's interpretation was inaccurate and unhelpful.
David Bernstein, a constitutional law professor at George Mason University, criticized the remarks, suggesting that Nessel believes such sentiments are a viable pitch to Jewish Democrats. He compared the situation to "Jewish Stalinists" who remained loyal through antisemitic purges, believing it was the price for a better world.
Nessel has previously stated that she will not vote for the Republican candidate in the U.S. Senate race but has withheld her endorsement from the Democratic candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, over concerns about his stance on Israel. El-Sayed, a critic of Israel and U.S. military aid, reportedly apologized for past controversial comments at the same event.
In a prior appearance on The Atlantic's "David Frum Show," Nessel indicated that the Democratic Party does not value its Jewish constituents as much as other minority groups and that many Jewish Democrats have felt ostracized since the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Israel. She also stated that if forced to choose, she would prioritize her Jewish heritage over her party affiliation.