Starr condemns El-Sayed's debate remarks
Rabbi Aaron StarrRabbi of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, speaking personally
Starr says he is horrified at what he calls El-Sayed's hostility toward Israel and refusal to condemn the Iranian regime, and says El-Sayed echoed anti-Jewish libels by suggesting Israelis manipulated America into war.
“horrified, though not surprised ... Dr. El-Sayed gave voice to centuries-old libels against the Jewish people by suggesting Israelis somehow manipulated an otherwise innocent America into a war.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Abdul El-Sayed describes dangers from Israel and Iran; Pete Buttigieg draws an ally-enemy distinction
Abdul El-Sayed declined to rank Israel and Iran as threats during Michigan's Senate debate, describing different dangers from each. Pete Buttigieg answered that Iran is an enemy and Israel an ally, while saying he would still vote for El-Sayed.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Named interviews assess the October 8 Israel-Iran comparison.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Speaking in a personal capacity, Starr told Jewish Insider that El-Sayed's debate comments had reinforced deep concern about his candidacy among Jewish community members.
After the quotation
Starr added that the suggestion denies America's agency in choosing to defend itself and its allies against nuclear threats.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Reference point: El-Sayed's refusal to rank Israel and Iran as threats and his comparison of the dangers they pose. Condemned: Starr says he is horrified at El-Sayed's stance toward Israel and Iran and rejects the claim that Israel drew the United States into war as an echo of old libels against Jews. Challenged the characterization loses because Starr denounces the remarks rather than only disputing their description of Israel.
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- Abdul El-Sayed
More from this case
Read the full caseHewitt praises Buttigieg's distinction from El-Sayed
“Thus far only @PeteButtigieg has separated himself from the radicalism of Abdul El-Sayed. It was deft but definite.”Read statement
Trent defends El-Sayed against repeated questioning
“I mean, he’s put it to rest so many times. It just keeps getting asked and asked and asked.”Read statement
MacCallum says El-Sayed must distinguish allies from enemies
“You have to be able to understand who is our enemy and who is our ally. That is an easy, easy question, okay?”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Starr condemns El-Sayed's debate remarks". First published: 2026-10-18. Last updated: 2026-10-18. https://disputeindex.com/events/5907-starr-says-he-is-horrified-at-what-he