Michigan Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers participated in a debate, discussing Middle East policy and terrorism. El-Sayed refused to say whether Iran or Israel is a greater threat to the US, calling the question "ridiculous" and stating that both countries have proven dangerous in their own way.
What happened
During the debate, Rogers criticized El-Sayed for his lack of clarity on terrorism and for not releasing a statement marking the three-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023. El-Sayed replied that he had condemned the attack, but Rogers accused him of not acknowledging the pain and terrorism inflicted by Hamas. The debate also touched on the topic of Iran, with El-Sayed stating that the US should not be involved in a war with Iran and instead focus on spending money on domestic issues such as schools and healthcare.
The candidates also exchanged personal attacks, with Rogers accusing El-Sayed of being supported by groups that back the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, and El-Sayed accusing Rogers of taking corporate dollars and being bought by donors. The debate was marked by a heated exchange between the two candidates, with each trying to gain the upper hand in the closely contested Senate race.
El-Sayed and Rogers also discussed their views on Israel, with Rogers stating that he supports Israel's right to exist and defend itself, and El-Sayed accusing Rogers of trying to tie him to Islamic extremism. The debate highlighted the stark differences between the two candidates on issues related to the Middle East and terrorism.
