Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed faced pointed questions about his views on Israel during an interview on CBS's 60 Minutes on Monday, amid growing controversy over his stance and a closely watched race against Republican Mike Rogers.
During the interview with journalist Ross Douthat, El-Sayed addressed his criticism of US policy toward Israel. He argued that Washington has spent years declaring its support for a two-state solution while simultaneously providing military assistance to parties he claims are working to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.
El-Sayed also accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, an allegation Israel rejects and which his Republican opponent, Rogers, has also disputed.
The exchange on 60 Minutes drew particular attention ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections because of El-Sayed's previous statements about Israel and his ongoing confrontation with Rogers.
Rogers has said that he supports Israel's right to defend itself and exist as a Jewish state, and accused El-Sayed of refusing to recognize Israel's right to exist. As such, Douthat opted to directly ask El-Sayed, "Does Israel have a right to exist?"
In response, El-Sayed objected to repeatedly being questioned about Israel's right to exist when, he argued, no one asks him about Palestine's right to exist.
"Does Palestine have a right to exist?" Douthat asked.
"Yes," El-Sayed replied.
"And does Israel have a right to exist?" the interviewer continued.
"Yes, if there is a shared understanding..." El-Sayed began to answer, but Douthat interrupted, seeking clarification about the qualification.
"Just let me explain," El-Sayed said. "I believe that this is the problem with this debate. We start from where we sit rather than start from principles. I believe in equal rights to peace, dignity, and self-determination for Palestinians and Jewish Israelis alike."
El-Sayed addresses Israel's right to exist
He went on to clarify his position: "If the Palestinian people decide and the Israeli people decide that they want two states for two people, and they decide that on equal terms, I'm for it. If they decide that they want one state shared in a different way, I'm for that."
El-Sayed therefore answered affirmatively when asked whether Israel has a right to exist, but tied his response to an agreement between the two peoples. Unlike the traditional American position, he did not present the continued existence of two separate states as the only outcome he would support.
This was not the first time the Senate candidate had avoided giving a direct, unconditional answer to the question.
In an earlier CNN interview, when asked whether Israel had a right to exist, El-Sayed said Israel already exists and that he would not participate in what he described as a game of "gotcha" questions.
In the latest interview, El-Sayed also sought to emphasize his commitment to the security of Jews in the United States.
Asked whether he was doing enough to reassure Jewish voters in Michigan, he said that despite disagreements over Israel, he and the Jewish community agreed on many other issues.
He pledged to stand alongside American Jews in defending their rights and security.
Democratic divisions deepen as Stevens endorses Rogers
The remarks came amid growing political tensions in Michigan, where El-Sayed and Rogers are competing for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters. The contest is considered one of the key races that could determine control of the Senate following Tuesday's elections.
Earlier on Sunday evening, another dramatic development unfolded in the state's election campaign when Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the primary, appeared alongside his Republican opponent, Rogers, at a church in Detroit and announced her endorsement of him.
The move followed a heated dispute over a campaign advertisement produced by an independent political organization supporting El-Sayed, which drew a connection between the cost of living in the United States and American assistance to Israel.
Stevens condemned the advertisement as antisemitic, while El-Sayed clarified that his campaign had not been involved in producing it and that he disapproved of its content.
Stevens's decision to endorse the Republican candidate, rather than support her own party's nominee as previously planned, drew sharp criticism from senior Democrats.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the move, calling it a disgraceful betrayal.
Despite the political turmoil, El-Sayed maintained a lead over his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, in the polls.
According to the latest RealClearPolling polling average cited in the report, the Democratic candidate had 49.3% support compared with 45.4% for Rogers, a lead of approximately four percentage points.
The latest CNN poll showed a seven-point lead for El-Sayed, with 49% support compared with 42% for Rogers.
A YouGov poll conducted between October 26 and 29 also showed El-Sayed ahead, with 51% compared with 47% for Rogers.
However, all of these surveys were conducted before Stevens's dramatic announcement that she would endorse Rogers, meaning the impact of her decision on voters could not yet be assessed.
The election is scheduled for Tuesday, with the Michigan race considered one of the most important contests in the battle for control of the Senate.
US President Donald Trump, who supports Rogers, also attacked El-Sayed during the campaign, accusing him of having ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
El-Sayed distanced himself from the organization and argued that Republican attacks against him were also directed at his Muslim identity.
Michigan is home to large Arab-American and Jewish communities, and positions on Israel, the Gaza war, and US military assistance have become central issues in the state's election campaign.
With voting set for Tuesday, the exchange on 60 Minutes once again highlighted the political dispute over how the United States should approach Israel and whether a Senate candidate can support the right to self-determination of both peoples without explicitly committing to a two-state solution.
At the same time, the public rift between El-Sayed and Stevens illustrated the depth of divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel, particularly in one of its most consequential races in the upcoming elections.