Democratic Primaries: Israel at the Center of Ideological Confrontation
Democratic primaries in Michigan and Missouri highlight a growing divide over Israel. Pro-Israel candidates are facing off against challengers who have adopted radical anti-Israel positions.
In Michigan and Missouri, pro-Israel candidates will face off against pro-Palestinian challengers in the Democratic primaries. In Michigan, Haley Stevens hopes to surprise the candidate who compared Israel to Hamas. In Missouri, the candidate supported by AIPAC hopes to retain his seat against a rival who claimed that Israel is carrying out "ethnic cleansing."
The anti-Israel current has been gaining significant momentum within the Democratic Party. Today (Tuesday), the party is holding a series of congressional primaries that may largely reflect the party's future direction. Two races, in Missouri and Michigan, have attracted special attention as pro-Israel candidates compete against those expressing extreme anti-Israel views.
The Michigan Race
In Michigan, a state with a relatively high percentage of Muslims, US Representative Haley Stevens is running in the Senate primary against Abdul El-Sayed. Stevens has shown unequivocal support for Israel during her tenure in the House of Representatives, making it clear that she supports unconditional aid to Israel, denies that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and refuses to apologize for receiving donations from the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC.
"I am in favor of a two-state solution, I want long-term peace, I have criticized Netanyahu. My opponent, Abdul, does not recognize Israel's right to exist as a state. This represents the extreme," Stevens said in an interview with CBS.
Her opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, a doctor and son of Egyptian immigrants, has called Israel's military campaign in Gaza a genocide and described the Israeli government as "evil." He has repeatedly claimed that AIPAC's influence distorts Democratic Party politics and even compared Israel to Hamas, stating: "It is not a question of who is worse—this or that. Hamas is evil, the Israeli government is evil. You can say both." El-Sayed is leading in the polls and is considered the favorite.
The Missouri Confrontation
To the northwest, in Missouri, a similar confrontation is taking place between pro-Israel Congressman Wesley Bell and social-democratic Congresswoman Cori Bush, who has made opposition to AIPAC her banner. The two previously competed two years ago, with Bell emerging victorious, but Bush is now hoping to realize her revenge.
Bush accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza and has described the war as "Israel's ethnic cleansing campaign," which she claims is carried out with the support of American weapons. In contrast, Bell, who enjoys significant backing from AIPAC-affiliated groups, has consistently supported Israel during his two years in Congress, including opposing efforts to cut military aid.
While Bell managed to defeat Bush two years ago, shifting attitudes toward Israel within the Democratic Party may now work against him. A series of polls indicate an unprecedented low in Israel's standing within the party, with most voters identifying more with the Palestinians than with Israel.
