Abdul el Sayed, the Michigan Democratic Senate nominee, has publicly distanced himself from political commentator Hasan Piker following Piker's controversial remarks about pro-Israel Americans, particularly targeting Michigan state Senator Jeremy Moss. Piker, known for his socialist views, suggested in a recent stream that the perception of American Jews being solely invested in Israel could provoke violence against them.
El Sayed emphasized his commitment to combating antisemitism, stating, "My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own daughters. Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms." He criticized the focus on Piker, asserting that the campaign should center on issues like gas prices, groceries, education, and healthcare.
Representative Hillary Scholten (D-MI) was among the first to condemn Piker's comments, labeling him a "hack who thrives on hate, shock and awe," and calling for a rejection of such rhetoric. Piker responded by accusing Scholten of seeking attention and attacking him due to his opposition to Zionism.
The backlash against Piker has also drawn bipartisan criticism, with Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introducing a resolution condemning antisemitic rhetoric from online personalities, specifically naming Piker. Lawler characterized Piker as a threat to America, while Gottheimer stated that Piker's rhetoric incites violence against American Jews and that Democrats must denounce such views.