El-Sayed Apologizes to Jewish Democrats

Abdul El-Sayed apologized Saturday for a remark that has dogged his Senate campaign in Michigan. The Democrat told the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus that in responding to a March truck attack on a suburban Detroit synagogue, he should have stopped at condemning the violence rather than adding that "hurt people hurt people." El-Sayed said he was trying to offer "broader context" about the attacker's background but instead stepped on "the dignity" of the fear and pain Jewish residents were feeling, the New York Times reports. "If my statement caused pain, I'm sorry," he said.

El-Sayed has been working to win over skeptical Jewish Democrats in a closely watched race that could help decide control of the Senate. He has already faced backlash for his sharp criticism of Israel and ties to political streamer Hasan Piker, who recently warned on his show that American Jews could face violence if they are seen as singularly aligned with Israel. El-Sayed now says that Piker won't be part of his general election campaign and that "nobody speaks for this campaign besides me and my campaign spokespeople," El-Sayed said in a statement Monday, per the Washington Post. A security guard was injured in the attack, which authorities labeled a terrorist act. They said the attacker was inspired by Hezbollah and intended to kill as many Jewish people as possible.