Michigan Rabbis Set 5 'Nonnegotiables' for Candidates

A coalition of Michigan rabbis and Jewish leaders has launched a petition outlining five "nonnegotiable" commitments for candidates seeking Jewish support, with the initiative appearing to focus on Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. The group, known as Nonnegotiables Michigan, stated that candidates must affirm principles related to Jewish safety, the right of Jews to define their own identities, Jewish sovereignty in Israel, full Jewish participation in American political life, and an affirmative vision for the Middle East. Organizers said that while the petition does not explicitly name El-Sayed, his past rhetoric concerning Israel and his engagement with controversial figures have raised concerns among some Jewish voters. Leaders cited El-Sayed's past descriptions of Israel as "bloodthirsty" and "evil," and his comments following an attack on a Michigan synagogue, which some critics deemed insufficient apologies. These statements, they argue, have contributed to an environment where Jews feel unsafe.