Michigan Jews don’t need Peter Beinart to explain their fears to them

Jewish leaders in Michigan are challenging Peter Beinart's interpretation of their concerns regarding Democratic Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. Beinart suggested that the leaders' letter, which urged careful consideration before supporting El-Sayed, was primarily about prioritizing weapons flow to Israel over American democracy. However, the article argues that Michigan Jews' fears stem from a March terror attack at Temple Israel, inspired by Hezbollah, and El-Sayed's rhetoric linking the attack to Israel's actions.

• Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, the first Jewish person elected to that office, will not attend her party's nominating convention due to safety concerns related to antisemitism.
• The article asserts that Michigan Jews have listened to El-Sayed's statements on Israel and terrorism and have concluded they do not trust him, a decision based on their own experiences.
• It criticizes Beinart for dismissing the community's "very real fears" and reframing them to align with his own political views, rather than respecting their stated motivations.
• The piece concludes that Michigan Jews, having experienced the Temple Israel attack and heard El-Sayed's words, understand what threatens their community and do not need Beinart to "translate" their concerns.