Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost the Michigan Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed, has sharply criticized Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., regarding his Middle East policy, labeling anti-Zionism as a "sickness" that "needs to end."
In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, Stevens questioned Sanders' impact on peace in the Middle East and Palestinian dignity, stating, "I really don’t know what Bernie Sanders has done for peace in the Middle East, for Palestinian dignity; I can’t think of anything he’s totally done. It’s a sickness that needs to end. You know, it’s a linkage towards extremism or jihad, I don’t know."
Sanders has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government and has advocated for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel.
Stevens also expressed concern that anti-Zionism has become a "hate movement" prevalent in America and the West. She described Israel as a "punching bag" for some of the challenges facing the United States, criticizing what she called a "bizarre obsession" with targeting the country. However, she also identified Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a "problem."
Following her primary loss, Stevens endorsed El-Sayed but urged him to sever ties with progressive streamer Hasan Piker, with whom El-Sayed has campaigned. Stevens stated in an earlier interview that it "certainly makes sense to get rid of this Hasan Piker affiliation."
Stevens emphasized her own views and values as a "Zionist Democrat," asserting that those who share her perspectives should feel secure and heard within the Democratic Party. She pointed to her own performance in the primary as evidence of the party's capacity to include various communities.
Qasim Rashid, a human rights lawyer and SiriusXM radio host, called Stevens' comments "profoundly disappointing and not helpful." Rashid argued that Israeli government actions have been documented as genocide by human rights organizations and that continuing to arm Israel violates international human rights law. He suggested Stevens' stance jeopardizes Michigan's electoral outcome.
Recent polling indicates a shift in American public opinion regarding Israel, with a March NBC News poll showing that 39% of Americans held a negative view of the Jewish state, a notable increase from three years prior.