Lead

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is Jewish, announced she will not attend the Michigan Democratic Party's nominating convention next month, citing concerns about antisemitism and harassment. Her decision has prompted Jewish leaders from Michigan and across the country to deliver a petition to state party officials urging them to ensure the safety of Jewish delegates at the event, according to reporting by the Jerusalem Post.

Nessel made her announcement during a televised antisemitism roundtable, saying she believes her presence at the convention would not be welcome. "I don't feel safe going," she said, according to the Jerusalem Post. "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." Nessel said she had filed a formal complaint within the party about a party official who had called her a neo-Nazi, asking, "Why is this person more accepted in our party than me?"

Coverage Comparison

The Jerusalem Post, which provided the only coverage of this story, reported the developments in two separate articles. The first, published August 1, focused on Nessel's decision and the reaction of Jewish Democrats. The second, published August 11, detailed the petition delivered to the state party chair. Both articles frame the issue as concern about rising antisemitism within Michigan's Democratic coalition, linked to a divisive Senate primary that has focused in part on Israel and antisemitism.

Key Claims

  • Nessel will skip the state Democratic Party's nominating convention due to concerns about antisemitism and harassment, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • Nessel has filed a formal complaint within the party about a party official who called her a neo-Nazi, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • A convention attendee targeted a candidate's Jewish husband with an antisemitic slur at the Michigan Democratic Party's endorsement convention in April, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • A petition was delivered to the head of the state's Democratic Party urging him to ensure the safety of all Jewish delegates at the convention, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • The petition was signed but the total approximately 200 people, including rabbis and Jewish figures from across the country, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • Abdul El-Sayed, a candidate in the Senate primary, is nonetheless surging in polls despite a reported $30 million spent against him by AIPAC, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • El-Sayed's campaign has been criticized for its response to antisemitic incidents, including the case of the Temple Israel attack in March, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • The Michigan Jewish Democratic Caucus has called on El-Sayed's campaign to reject rhetoric that demonizes the Jewish civic identity, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Perspectives

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel: Nessel says she does not feel safe attending the convention and expects to be harassed. She has filed a formal complaint about a party official who called her a neo-Nazi.

Michigan Jewish leaders: A group of rabbis and other Jewish figures delivered a petition to the head of the state party urging him to "ensure the safety" of Jewish delegates. The petition calls for party leaders to make clear that harassment of Jews will be prosecuted.

State Party Leadership: While not directly quoted, the petition was delivered to Curtis Hertel, Jr., the state party chair, and includes an explicit request for him to make a public commitment to the safety of Jewish delegates.

Abdul El-Sayed's Campaign: The El-Sayed campaign has also been criticized by Jewish groups, including the Michigan Jewish Democratic Caucus, for its response to antisemitic incidents and rhetoric.