Michigan Democrats’ Israel divide deepens as Jewish attorney general skips state convention

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will not attend Saturday’s Michigan Democratic Party convention, citing concerns about antisemitic harassment and what she describes as a deteriorating political climate within her own party.

Nessel, a Democrat and the first Jewish person elected to statewide executive office in Michigan, announced last month that she would skip the Aug. 29 nominating convention in Lansing because she does not feel safe or welcome there.

“I don’t feel safe going,” Nessel said, according to Fox News. "I feel like my presence isn’t going to be welcome. I don’t want to get chased around. I don’t want to get harassed. I don’t want to get yelled and screamed at. I don’t want to get booed off the stage, irrespective of what I’m saying."

Her absence comes after Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., was loudly heckled by pro-Palestinian activists during the party’s April convention as she addressed the crowd about her support for Israel. 

Stevens ultimately lost the Democratic Senate nomination to Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate who has been sharply critical of Israel.