Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Michigan, repeatedly refused to say whether Iran or Israel poses a greater threat to the United States during a debate this week, instead accusing Israel of pushing America into a war with Iran. The exchange, which quickly circulated online, has drawn sharp reactions from political commentators and news outlets.
During the debate, El-Sayed was asked directly: "Who do you think is a bigger threat to the United States? Israel or Iran? You have 60 seconds." According to a transcript of the video posted by the account @RealAmVoice, El-Sayed responded: "I'm just going to say that that's a ridiculous hypothetical, because here's what's happening right now. Our ostensible ally in Israel has lobbied us to go to war with Iran. We have watched as Iran has responded by bombing all kinds of countries in the Middle East, and then choking off the world's energy supply. So this is a situation in which I don't think we should be apart. I don't want to be pushed into war by Israel."
He did not name either country as the greater threat.
In a separate exchange, posted by the account @clashreport, El-Sayed was asked whether he would vote to provide defensive weapons to Israel if it were attacked by Iran or another state actor. He replied: "I've been absolutely clear. I want our tax dollars spent here to provide schools here. And by here, I mean Michigan, not Florida. I want to make sure we've got good schools here and health care here. I want to make sure that we are taking care of people here. That is my priority. You know, you asked a hypothetical question about being attacked by Iran, but let's be honest about what happened here. Israel has pushed us to go to war in Iran. And of course, my colleague, who thinks there's a war for everything, went right along with it. And here we are. Israel had clear war aims. They wanted us to go to war with them, and their war aims were, what, the annexation of southern Lebanon? Ask yourself, are we safer because of that war? He wants unconditional support for a foreign government. I want unconditional support for kids in our schools, unconditional support for our health care, child care, things that he would vote to defund. So it's just inconsistent to me to be running for Senate from Michigan, when you're more focused on what's happening to a foreign government than you are focused on what's happening to folks right here in Michigan. It's just not serious."
When pressed again on whether he would provide defensive weapons to Israel, El-Sayed said: "I don't want our tax dollars buying weapons for other countries. I don't know what's so hard about that." The moderator then noted: "That's a no. I'll answer the question. Absolutely. He won't. He will not. Matter of fact, he would not even support an iron dome. We wouldn't even support an iron dome."
The reaction was swift. The account @RealAmVoice posted: "Abdul El Sayed just refused to say Iran is a bigger threat to America than Israel." The account @clashreport shared the exchange with the caption: "Abdul El-Sayed on Iran: Let's be honest about what happened. Israel has pushed us to go to war in Iran."
Another account, @Acyn, posted a clip of a discussion about the question, with one speaker saying: "These questions are being asked of El-Sayed because he's Muslim and Bernie Sanders wants to cut off aid and military weapons to Israel as well. Just to play devil's advocate, if you're Abdul El-Sayed, you're wondering, why is it that he is being asked constantly to address terrorism when he's talking about the economy."
The exchange has also drawn coverage from several news outlets. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported: "Is Israel or Iran a bigger threat to the US? Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed won't say." CBS News covered the debate, noting that El-Sayed and his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, "sparred over the Iran war and cost-of-living issues — and flung insults across the stage in nearly every exchange." Ballotpedia also updated its entry on El-Sayed.
Another report, from a outlet whose name was not included in the material reviewed, said: "El-Sayed says Israel, Iran have both proven 'dangerous' to US in Michigan Senate debate." That report also stated that El-Sayed "repeatedly declined to say whether Iran poses a greater threat to the United States than Israel, arguing that 'both of them have proven dangerous in their own way.'"
Separately, El-Sayed accused President Donald Trump of targeting his Muslim faith following recent posts on Truth Social, according to a report from twelve hours ago.
The underlying claim that Israel pushed the United States to go to war with Iran has not been independently confirmed. Next News Network could not independently verify it.
The debate comes amid a tight Senate race in Michigan, where El-Sayed, a former gubernatorial candidate and public health official, is facing Rogers, a former congressman. The two clashed repeatedly during the debate, according to CBS News, which described the event as "explosive."
The questions about Iran and Israel are not new for El-Sayed, who has been a vocal critic of U.S. military aid to Israel. His refusal to directly answer whether Iran is a greater threat has drawn criticism from some who argue that Iran's regime poses a clear danger to American interests and allies. Supporters, however, argue that the questions are a distraction from domestic issues and are motivated by El-Sayed's Muslim faith.
The debate over the threat posed by Iran versus Israel comes as tensions in the Middle East remain high. Iran has recently engaged in military actions across the region, including bombings in several countries, and has threatened to choke off global energy supplies. Israel, meanwhile, has been involved in its own military operations, including in southern Lebanon, where it has sought to annex territory, according to El-Sayed's claim.
The exchange has become a flashpoint in the Michigan Senate race, with both sides using it to rally their bases. El-Sayed's comments have been shared widely on social media, with critics calling him anti-Israel and supporters praising his willingness to speak out against foreign entanglements.
Next News Network will continue to follow this story as it develops.
Our Take
Abdul El-Sayed's refusal to name Iran as a greater threat than Israel is not just a dodge—it's a revealing glimpse into the worldview of a progressive candidate who seems more comfortable criticizing America's allies than its enemies. When given a clear choice between the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism and a democratic ally, El-Sayed punted, instead blaming Israel for pushing the U.S. into war. That's not just wrong—it's dangerous. The question wasn't hypothetical; it was a test of moral clarity, and El-Sayed failed. His answer, or lack thereof, should alarm every voter who cares about America's security and its standing in the world.
