Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan victory has forced Jewish Democrats to confront a question their party can no longer evade: How much are Jewish voters expected to tolerate in the name of defeating Donald Trump?

There comes a point when political loyalty collides with principle.

For Jewish Democrats in Michigan, that moment has arrived.

Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate has created a political dilemma that reaches far beyond one candidate, one state or one election.

For decades, American Jews have been among the Democratic Party’s most dependable constituencies. They have voted Democratic, donated Democratic, organized Democratic and defended Democratic values.

Now some are being asked to support a nominee whose rhetoric about Israel, political association with Hasan Piker and response to an attack on a Michigan synagogue have caused profound concern among Jewish voters.

The alternative is Donald Trump and the possibility of continued Republican control of the Senate.

That is not much of a choice.

For Jewish Democrats, it is a political reckoning.

And this time, the Democratic Party should not assume that Jewish voters will simply fall in line.

When Condemnation Comes With an Explanation

After the attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, El-Sayed condemned the violence.

But then came words that should trouble anyone concerned about antisemitism.

“Hurt people do hurt people,” El-Sayed said while discussing how events overseas can affect people in Michigan.

Think about what that means in this context.

A Jewish house of worship was attacked while children were inside, and the conversation turned toward explaining the anger that might produce such violence.

That is precisely where Jewish Americans should draw a line.

American Jews are not representatives of the Israeli government.

A Michigan synagogue is not an Israeli military installation.

Jewish children in West Bloomfield are not responsible for decisions made in Jerusalem.

When Jews are targeted in America, there should be no geopolitical asterisk attached to the condemnation.

Political violence against Jews should be condemned for exactly what it is.

Hasan Piker Is Not a Footnote

Then there is........

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