Abdul El-Sayed on Trump, Israel assist and his Senate priorities : NPR
Abdul El-Sayed together with his spouse, Sarah Jukaku, throughout an election evening watch occasion in Detroit.
Salwan Georges/Getty Photos
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Salwan Georges/Getty Photos
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed made historical past in Michigan, defeating Republican Mike Rogers to turn out to be the primary Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate as his occasion reclaimed management of Congress.
The 42-year-old former public well being official campaigned on reducing prices, Medicare for All and getting company cash out of politics. Rogers, backed by President Trump, repeatedly attacked El-Sayed over his Muslim religion and opposition to U.S. army assist to Israel.
However Israel and the struggle in Gaza turned a defining fault line within the race. Haley Stevens, whom El-Sayed defeated within the Democratic major, endorsed Rogers simply days earlier than the election amid a bitter dispute over Israel.
After a marketing campaign marked by heated disagreements over Israel, El-Sayed now finds himself on the identical facet of a problem as Trump.
The president introduced plans to finish roughly $4 billion in annual army assist to Israel by the tip of the 12 months, although he provided no particulars on how the cuts would work.
Chatting with Morning Version after his victory, El-Sayed welcomed the proposal.
“I feel the president is definitely proper on this coverage,” he stated. “I would additionally wish to see us cease promoting weaponry that will get used to do the worst issues, together with genocide and apartheid, to Israel.”
The U.S. offers Israel with $3.8 billion in annual army assist underneath an settlement that runs via 2028.
His argument goes past Israel. El-Sayed additionally questioned U.S. army assist for Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Pakistan, saying American tax {dollars} must be spent at house.
Profitable Michigan’s Senate seat, nonetheless, does not imply each division inside his occasion has disappeared.
Throughout a go to to Michigan earlier than the election, NPR’s Michel Martin heard issues about El-Sayed from some Jewish and Black voters. Requested whether or not he nonetheless had work to do to win their assist, El-Sayed stated the election outcomes challenged that narrative.
“There’s all the time extra work to do. There’s all the time extra to construct. There’s all the time extra conversations to have,” he stated.
Hearken to the total interview reside by clicking on the blue button above.
The digital model was edited by Treye Inexperienced.
