Michigan Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed Declares Israel Not a U.S. Ally
The progressive Democrat argued that the Jewish state 'uses' American resources and engages in actions detrimental to U.S. interests.
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed stated Monday that Israel should not be considered an ally of the United States, arguing that it is time to recognize that the Jewish state "is not our friend."
"An ally that takes your money to push you into wars you shouldn’t be fighting is not an ally," El-Sayed told ABC News. He drew a parallel to a child's friendship, suggesting that if a friend takes money and causes trouble, they are not truly a friend.
During a recent debate with his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, El-Sayed avoided directly answering whether Israel or Iran posed a greater threat to the U.S. He later dismissed the question as "ridiculous," asserting that both nations "have proven dangerous in their own way."
El-Sayed elaborated on his views in separate remarks, telling MS NOW that allies should offer implicit support rather than exploiting resources. "The government of Israel has done nothing but use us," he stated.
He specifically criticized the Israeli military, alleging it has committed "heinous things" and accusing it of "war crimes" and "genocide." El-Sayed also expressed concern over the lack of commitment to Palestinian self-determination from any Israeli political candidates.
"Right now, structurally, there are a lot of issues with that ostensible allyship," he added.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged a growing divergence between his country and the American left. According to an Israeli reporter, Netanyahu indicated a strategy to cultivate alternative alliances, including with countries in Latin America and Asia like India, should future U.S. administrations become less supportive of Israel. He emphasized the importance of engaging with the U.S. "through good times and bad."