Hasan Piker affirmed a hypothetical preference for Hamas over Israel through lesser-evil reasoning. Jon Favreau disputed the moral comparison, while the ADL cited it as whitewashing terrorism. Piker later acknowledged Hamas war crimes and denied endorsing its domestic policies, while maintaining that Israeli occupation was the overriding concern.
After an armed assailant attacked Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed condemned the attack and antisemitism but connected the assailant's actions to an Israeli airstrike that killed members of his family, describing violence as a cycle. Critics said the framing rationalized an antisemitic terrorist attack or shifted responsibility toward Israel and Jews. El-Sayed denied justifying the attack and later apologized for introducing context when the victims needed an unqualified condemnation.
Haaretz reported that United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed directly warned Benjamin Netanyahu about ten days before October 7, 2023 that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was preparing a major operation. Netanyahu and his office categorically deny that the reported call or warning occurred and say official record checks found no supporting documentation. Reporter Shlomi Eldar says he possesses documents, records, and confidential-source evidence supporting the account, but those materials have not been made public. Naftali Bennett says he knows the report is true; other opposition leaders demand an investigation. The UAE government has declined to confirm or deny the alleged conversation.
Statements
United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Role at the time: Official foreign ministry of the United Arab Emirates
Explicitly stayed out
Responding to
Mohammed bin Zayed directly warned Benjamin Netanyahu in late September 2023 that Yahya Sinwar was preparing a major Hamas operation that could cause bloodshed and destabilize the region.
"The Ministry does not comment on media stories or speculation regarding conversations between government leaders."
Why we used this label
The ministry expressly declined to address the reported leaders’ conversation; its general statement about intelligence channels is not a confirmation or denial.
Hillary Scholten is a U.S. representative for Michigan's Third Congressional District and an attorney. Before entering Congress, she worked on immigration and civil-rights matters at the U.S. Department of Justice and previously worked in social services.