CNN host Van Jones has sharply criticized Michigan Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed's foreign policy stance on Israel, labeling his position as "insane" and questioning if El-Sayed believes he possesses greater wisdom on the issue than former President Barack Obama.
Jones, a former advisor to Obama, expressed his strong disagreement with El-Sayed's call for a "total and complete arms embargo against the state of Israel, including defensive weapons." Speaking on the "Ask Haviv Anything" podcast, Jones argued that such a position is indefensible, particularly when it comes to denying Israel defensive capabilities against incoming threats.
"To deny them the right to buy the interceptors to knock down rockets going at Israeli children, women, men, babies. That’s an insane position," Jones stated. He specifically referenced the Iron Dome missile defense system, a project supported by the Obama administration, suggesting that El-Sayed's stance undermines efforts to protect Israeli civilians.
Jones questioned El-Sayed's judgment, asking, "So you’re telling me you’re smarter than Barack Obama? You have better ideas about foreign policy than Barack Obama?" He highlighted Obama's role in developing defensive measures for Israel, given its geopolitical context.
El-Sayed, a vocal critic of Israel, has been a subject of controversy, particularly regarding his relationship with livestreamer Hasan Piker and his views on the conflict. Julian Epstein, a Democratic consultant, echoed Jones's concerns, stating that El-Sayed's positions align with "Muslim Brotherhood propaganda" and that he slanders Israel with accusations of "apartheid" and "genocide."
Theo Wold, former assistant attorney general, suggested El-Sayed represents a broader trend of "Third World immigrants" adopting radical positions as they gain political influence. He described El-Sayed's foreign policy as more "global south" than American, reflecting a departure from traditional American political discourse.
Jesse Arm, a vice president at the Manhattan Institute, credited Jones for drawing a line on the issue, arguing that El-Sayed's views represent a struggle within the Democratic Party. Arm posited that as the Democratic coalition becomes "Whiter, richer, and more ideologically extreme," the preferences of Black voters are increasingly overlooked. He noted that El-Sayed "got crushed with African Americans in Michigan's Democratic primary," losing a significant portion of the Black vote to his opponent.
Fox News Digital reached out to El-Sayed's campaign for comment on Jones's statements but did not receive an immediate response. The controversy highlights ongoing debates within the Democratic Party regarding foreign policy and the U.S.-Israel relationship.