Al Franken, other Jewish Americans endorse Michigan Democratic Senate candidate El-Sayed

Former senator Al Franken, D-Minn., and more than two dozen other Jewish Americans signed an open letter endorsing Michigan Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. 

The open letter, which was first reported by The Washington Post, discusses El-Sayed's foreign policy positions, including statements about Israel and Iran, which "have been a concern for many." However, the letter said, "his positions are much less outside the mainstream of the contemporary foreign-policy debate than some of the charged rhetoric surrounding his candidacy might suggest." 

While El-Sayed has been highly critical of Israel’s war in Gaza and "abuses in the West Bank," the letter explains, he has expressed support for "equal rights, peace, dignity and self-determination" for Israelis and Palestinians, acknowledged the horror of the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel and condemned "all forms of antisemitism." 

The letter praises El-Sayed's domestic policies, including healthcare as a right, affordable housing, and a tax system that demands the wealthy pay more than they are now. 

"Dr. El-Sayed holds the view that government can be a force for good as it can help expand opportunities, protect rights, and advance well-being," the letter states. 

The letter was initiated by Eric Schwartz, a former State Department official during the Obama administration. Former congressman Andy Levin and several former federal officials in Democratic administrations, including Mort Halperin, Michael Posner, Josh Gotbaum and Barnett Rubin, also signed the letter.