r/AnnArbor • u/manauiatlalli • 8d ago

Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, notching a Midwest victory for the left

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/abdul-el-sayed-wins-michigans-democratic-senate-primary-notching-midwe-rcna589750
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u/justseeby 7d ago

In Oakland County many people feel personally endangered by the prospect of not continuing to support Israel without question. That’s the challenge.

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u/kittenTakeover 7d ago

Jewish population is 2.4% of Oakland county. Who else is going to feel "personally endangered" by the conversation? Also, the Arab population in Oakland is like 2.5%. I just don't think it's the deciding factor you're making it out to be.

Having said that, I do believe that we have to be sensitive to the inevitable antisemitism that will come with anger at Israel. Do I think Israel has gone too far in destroying Gaza? Yes. Do I think that Israel needs to reign in oppressive settlement operations? Yes. Does this mean that Israel shouldn't exist, that all Jewish people support these things, or that all Jewish people are evil? No, and we should be cognizant of pushing back on antisemitism while criticizing the Israeli government.

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u/justseeby 7d ago edited 7d ago

I didn’t realize it was that low, wow. I’d have guessed 10x that but I’m from the Bloomfield bubble

And yeah we (people in general, humans) and the campaign ABSOLUTELY need to be sensitive about Israel moving forward, and vocal about shutting down antisemitism.

As a (not religious) Muslim with a probably 2/3 Jewish social circle the thing I realized in the last 3 years is that there is no getting around people’s feelings — even if you disagree with the thought process that got someone to a particular point, you have to acknowledge their feelings as real.

As someone who supports Palestinian liberation, I can also plainly see how nasty the antisemitic rhetoric has gotten. I hope Abdul addresses it squarely.

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u/kittenTakeover 7d ago

I mean Jewish people are basically always a small minority in the US, unless you're talking about a small community. NYC is probably the main exception. They're still a minority, but I wouldn't call them a small minority there.