"I was wrong": Democratic candidate apologizes to Jewish community

Democratic Senate candidate from Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed, apologized on Saturday to members of the party's Jewish caucus for his remarks following the attack on the Temple Israel synagogue near Detroit in March.

Shortly after a man rammed his vehicle into the synagogue and wounded a security guard, El-Sayed posted a video in which he condemned the act, but added that "hurt people hurt people." Authorities determined that it was a deliberate attack against Jews, and the candidate's words sparked sharp criticism among Jewish Democrats.

"I was wrong. I should have issued a statement condemning the act, of course, and just stopped there," El-Sayed said during the party convention in Lansing.

According to him, he tried to present a "broader context" in his statement, but realized that in doing so he trampled on the "respect that was due to that fear and pain." He further added: "No one deserves to have their pain trampled on."

The apology comes as El-Sayed tries to win the support of Jewish Democrats, many of whom have expressed deep skepticism toward his candidacy. The race in Michigan could have a decisive impact on control of the US Senate.

At the same time, pressure is being applied on El-Sayed to disavow Hasan Piker, an internet star known for his sharp anti-Israel rhetoric, who participated in his campaign events during the primaries. Although he apologized for his remarks regarding the synagogue attack, El-Sayed refused to disavow Piker.

The apology was welcomed by members of the Jewish caucus at the convention, but many of them continued to express concern about El-Sayed's ties to the streamer, who has become a focal point of controversy in the internal debate within the Democratic Party regarding Israel.