Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has sharply criticized Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, accusing his fellow Democrat of attacking Rep. Haley Stevens over her positions on Israel and her objections to campaign rhetoric that she considers antisemitic.
Fetterman’s remarks, published October 31 by Jewish Insider, came during an increasingly bitter conflict between El-Sayed and Stevens that subsequently culminated in Stevens endorsing Republican Mike Rogers for the U.S. Senate.
The Pennsylvania senator’s intervention brought national attention to divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel, political rhetoric, and the role of progressive activists in electoral campaigns.
Fetterman accused El-Sayed of targeting Stevens because she challenged his positions and political associations.
According to Jewish Insider, Fetterman said El-Sayed was “going after” Stevens for attempting to hold him “accountable for his views on Israel and fixation with Jewish money.”
The remarks were particularly notable because they came from a Democratic senator criticizing his party’s own nominee during the final days of a competitive general-election campaign.
Fetterman has become one of the Senate’s most outspoken supporters of Israel since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
He has repeatedly criticized antisemitism and political movements he believes excuse or minimize violence against Israelis.
His disagreement with El-Sayed reflects a broader ideological dispute that has divided Democratic elected officials and activists.
El-Sayed defeated Stevens in Michigan’s August Senate primary after a contentious campaign featuring major disagreements over American military assistance to Israel.
The primary also attracted considerable outside spending from organizations supporting different candidates.
Although Stevens initially pledged to support El-Sayed in the general election, disagreements continued after the primary concluded.
The latest controversy intensified following an advertisement released by Rebellion PAC, a progressive political organization.
The advertisement connected high grocery prices in the United States with American financial support for Israel’s military operations.
Stevens criticized the advertisement and called for El-Sayed to condemn its message.
El-Sayed’s campaign stated that it was not responsible for the independently produced advertisement.
The dispute nevertheless expanded when Stevens raised concerns about the nominee’s own previous statements concerning Israel.
Fetterman subsequently entered the debate, criticizing El-Sayed’s treatment of Stevens.
The Pennsylvania senator described El-Sayed’s response to the congresswoman as an “overreaction.”
He also suggested that the dispute illustrated why the Michigan candidate had experienced difficulty connecting with some voter groups.
Fetterman’s comments were consistent with earlier criticisms he had directed at El-Sayed during the campaign.
In August and September, the senator questioned El-Sayed’s political associations, particularly his appearances alongside left-wing streamer Hasan Piker.
Piker has faced controversy over statements concerning terrorism, foreign policy, and American political institutions.
El-Sayed appeared with Piker during his primary campaign, leading critics to question the political implications of that relationship.
In an August interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Fetterman challenged El-Sayed to continue campaigning alongside the streamer during the general election.
He told Hannity, “I dare you, I dare you.”
Fetterman added that Republican campaigns could potentially use such appearances in political advertising.
The senator’s September remarks became even more confrontational.
During another interview with Hannity, Fetterman said, “I don’t get along with communists and socialists and people that hate America.”
He explicitly identified El-Sayed among the political figures with whom he had serious disagreements.
