Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed distanced himself from progressive Twitch streamer Hasan Piker on Monday after Piker suggested that American Jewish support for Israel could provoke violence against American Jews, triggering swift condemnation from Democratic leaders and threatening El-Sayed’s efforts to rebuild trust with Jewish voters after a contentious primary.
During a livestream, Piker argued that the idea of Jewish monolithic support for Israel is “a very dangerous mode of propaganda” and warned: “If Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they are singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone’s going to come around and take action, not against the state of Israel mind you, but against American Jews.” While making the remarks, Piker displayed an image of Jeremy Moss, a Jewish Democratic congressional candidate in Michigan, on his screen.
El-Sayed responded with a statement emphasizing his commitment to Jewish safety. “My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own daughters,” he said. “Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms. And I stand against any rhetoric that puts the community at risk.” He added pointedly: “Nobody speaks for this campaign besides me and my campaign spokespeople.”
The statement marked El-Sayed’s most direct effort to separate his campaign from Piker, whom he had embraced during the primary despite the streamer’s controversial record. El-Sayed appeared at campaign events with Piker, including a pool party the night before the August 4 primary, drawing criticism from primary rival Rep. Haley Stevens, who called for him to distance himself from the streamer.
Piker’s latest comments drew sharp rebukes from across the Democratic Party. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the remarks “dangerous and antisemitic,” stating: “The malicious claim that American Jews are inviting violence against themselves is dangerous and antisemitic. There is zero justification for threats against the safety of our Jewish brothers and sisters at a moment of rising hate.” Rep. Hillary Scholten, a Michigan Democrat who endorsed Stevens in the primary, excoriated Piker as “a hack who thrives on hate, shock and awe because he lacks substance,” calling his rhetoric “disgusting” and “unacceptable.”
Moss, the Jewish candidate whose image Piker displayed, posted his own response: “I will not be lectured by a California podcaster about what Oakland County, Michigan’s Jewish community should and shouldn’t believe. We certainly won’t be gaslit that we’re responsible for the antisemitic harm upon us.”
El-Sayed’s challenge reflects a broader struggle to unify Michigan Democrats after a primary that alienated many Jewish voters. He narrowly won the August 4 primary despite significant concerns from the Jewish community over his refusal to directly answer whether Israel has a right to exist and his willingness to campaign with Piker, who has a documented history of controversial statements on Israel. According to reporting from the Detroit Free Press, concerns from Jewish voters included El-Sayed’s response to a March synagogue attack, when he condemned the violence but noted that the Israeli military had killed some of the attacker’s family in Lebanon, saying “hurt people hurt people.”
Piker’s previous controversial statements have drawn criticism from Jewish organizations and Democratic leaders. He previously said “America deserved 9/11” in a 2019 livestream—a comment he has since walked back—and claimed “Hamas is a thousand times better” than Israel. The Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, and Congressman Ritchie Torres have all documented what they describe as antisemitic rhetoric from Piker, who uses his platform to attack Israel and pro-Israel advocates.
The controversy also comes as Republican Mike Rogers, El-Sayed’s general election opponent, seeks to exploit divisions among Jewish voters. Rogers called El-Sayed’s statement inadequate, saying the Democratic nominee lacked “the guts to disavow his running mate,” and describing Piker’s comments as a call for violence. Rogers has been actively courting Jewish Democrats and Black voters who felt alienated by El-Sayed’s primary campaign.
Since winning the nomination, El-Sayed has taken steps to distance himself from Piker. In August, he disavowed Piker’s 9/11 comments during an interview, and Democrats have organized unity rallies and secured endorsements from national figures including former President Barack Obama to help rebuild party cohesion. However, some Democratic strategists believe El-Sayed needs to go further. “If you care about Abdul’s campaign succeeding, you should want him to distance himself from Piker clearly and directly,” Democratic strategist Tré Easton wrote on social media.
The state’s Jewish population—approximately 129,000 voters according to 2024 estimates—could prove decisive in a tight general election race. Michigan has been a critical battleground in recent elections, and losing even a portion of Jewish Democratic support could complicate the party’s path to holding the Senate seat.
Sources
- Politico — El-Sayed’s statement distancing himself from Piker’s comments on American Jews, the context of his primary struggles with Jewish voters, and reactions from Democratic leaders including Hakeem Jeffries and Hillary Scholten.
- Associated Press / San Bernardino Sun — Piker’s specific comments about American Jews and Israel, El-Sayed’s response statement, Moss’s reply, and details of their campaign relationship during the primary.
- Haaretz — El-Sayed’s statement and the context of his broader challenges with Jewish voters, including his refusal to answer whether Israel has a right to exist.
- Detroit Free Press — El-Sayed’s response to the March synagogue attack and concerns from Jewish voters during the primary.
- Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, Congressman Ritchie Torres — Documentation of Piker’s controversial statements on Israel and antisemitism.
- Bridge Michigan — Analysis of El-Sayed’s challenges with Jewish and Black voters in Michigan and the potential impact on the general election.
