Speaking on Detroit Public Radio\u2019s “MichMash” podcast<\/a>, El-Sayed pushed back on host Zach Gorchow\u2019s line of questioning about the Israel-Hamas conflict, suggesting that his name and Muslim faith play a role in the media attention surrounding the issue.<\/p>\n “You’ve been asked many times whether you support a two-state solution regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and you generally say you support equal rights to self-determination for Jewish Israelis and Palestinians,” Gorchow said. “Can you tell us, what does that mean?”<\/p>\n MICHIGAN DEM HOPEFUL ABDUL EL-SAYED JABS CNN GIVING HIM ‘NON-CONSENSUAL COLONOSCOPY’ IN RECENT INTERVIEWS<\/a><\/p>\n Michigan U.S. Sen candidate, Abdul El-Sayed, speaks with media after a debate at WoodTV studios on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo\/Kristen Norman)<\/p>\n “Zach, with all due respect, this has been hashed and rehashed,” El-Sayed began. “This is the MichMash podcast. I’m focused on what’s happening for the 10 million people in this state.”<\/p>\n El-Sayed then suggested the media\u2019s interest in his stance on the conflict was related to his identity.<\/p>\n MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE CONFRONTED REPEATEDLY OVER ISRAEL\u2019S RIGHT TO EXIST, DEFUNDING THE POLICE<\/a><\/p>\n “It’s so frustrating to me that people want to make this race about something that’s happening 6,000 miles away, when we’ve got kids who can’t afford a next meal here at home,” he continued.<\/p>\n The controversial candidate went on to blast the constant line of questioning from members of the press regarding his stance on providing aid to Israel<\/a> \u2014 a topic he has remained staunchly against throughout his campaign.<\/p>\n MICHIGAN SENATE HOPEFUL CALLS AIPAC DONATIONS ‘LEGALIZED BRIBERY,’ REMAINS SILENT ON OTHER DONATIONS<\/a><\/p>\n Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive candidate in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan, speaks during a primary election night event Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson\/AP Photo)<\/p>\n “I just find it so interesting that I never get asked about this question on the stump,” El-Sayed told the host. “But it seems to me that every time I sit down with anybody in the press, it seems that that’s the most important question.”<\/p>\n El-Sayed continued by suggesting the media\u2019s focus on his stance on Israel could be related to his name and Muslim faith.<\/p>\n EL-SAYED\u2019S HASAN PIKER PROBLEM FOLLOWS HIM TO DEM CONVENTION AS JEWISH VOTERS BREAK RANKS<\/a><\/p>\n Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed speaks to members of the media ahead of the Michigan Democratic Party’s 2026 nominating convention in Lansing, Mich., on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (Sarah Rice\/Bloomberg via Getty Images)<\/p>\n “It tends to be the first question everybody likes to ask me,” he said. “I wonder why? I mean, does it have something to do with my name? Maybe, you know, how I pray?”<\/p>\n He concluded by doubling-down on his assertion that his campaign is focused on the people of Michigan \u2014 not the people of Israel.<\/p>\n MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE CLAIMS ISRAEL ‘JUST AS EVIL’ AS HAMAS<\/a><\/p>\n “It’s fascinating to me that I’m running to represent ten million people who live here, and you want to ask about people living somewhere else,” El-Sayed continued. “And I just think I want to be talking about [the] people living here.”<\/p>\n According to data compiled by the Jewish Virtual Library, Michigan is home to 129,225 Jewish residents \u2014 which comprise roughly 1.3% of the state\u2019s population.<\/p>\n JEWISH DEMOCRATS ABANDON EL-SAYED FOR GOP RIVAL IN ALL-IMPORTANT BATTLEGROUND STATE<\/a><\/p>\n El-Sayed\u2019s comments were of interest to CEO of Axia Public Relations<\/a> Jason Mudd, who told Fox News Digital his ability to flip the narrative on the press<\/a> shows a level of message discipline.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE<\/a><\/p>\n “He stayed on message, pivoting to affordability both times he was asked. That’s real discipline. But when you listen to the full episode, he never uses the word racist. He questions why the topic keeps coming up and ties it to his name and his faith. He’s pointing to bias.”<\/p>\n![\"Sen](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/abdul-el-sayed-debate.jpg\")
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