Abdul El-Sayed elected to Senate in Michigan, becoming first Muslim senator

In depth

Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for the Senate in Michigan, defeated his Republican rival Mike Rogers, according to Israel Hayom and according to Walla. According to Israel Hayom, the reporting network Decision Desk HQ declared his victory. According to Walla, El-Sayed became the first Muslim senator.

During the campaign El-Sayed stirred controversy over his positions on Israel. According to Israel Hayom, he placed criticism of Israel at the center of his campaign and refused to recognize its right to exist. According to Arutz Sheva, the campaign was accompanied by storms over an antisemitic advertisement, as well as claims of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, which he denied. Haley Stevens, whom he defeated in the primaries, announced her support for the Republican candidate.

In his victory speech, El-Sayed said, according to Haaretz, that "believing that Palestinian children should have the possibility to grow up is not hatred, but love". According to Walla he said that "we will stop funding the genocide Israel is carrying out".