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.
Role at the time: University of Texas at Austin student and Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter president, speaking in an interview
Condemned
Responding to
Hasan Piker’s remarks about American Jews, Israel, and antisemitic violence
"inviting him onto our campus has a real impact on how safe and supported our community feels."
Why we used this label
She explicitly objects to the cited rhetoric and its campus impact. This is a criticism linked to the American-Jews remarks, not an inferred position from her identity or a general campus invitation alone.
Role at the time: United States senator from Georgia
Condemned
Responding to
Hasan Piker’s remarks about American Jews, Israel, and antisemitic violence
"I unreservedly reject reckless and dangerous rhetoric suggesting that policy advocacy invites violence against the Jewish community or any community."
Why we used this label
Ossoff expressly rejects the framing as reckless and dangerous.
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.
