The key facts
- Abdul El-Sayed, elected to the Senate on Tuesday, supported Trump's statement about reducing aid to Israel
- The senator-elect said he is ready to work with the president on ending military aid
- He called for distinguishing Judaism and Jews from Israel's actions and rejected equating criticism of Israel with hatred of Jews
Backing Trump's position
Abdul El-Sayed, who became the first Muslim elected to the US Senate, expressed support on Thursday for President Donald Trump's remarks about reducing aid to Israel, Anadolu reports. In an interview with MS NOW, he said that Washington should stop funding a war machine accused of committing atrocities using American weapons.
Criticism of Israel and protecting Jewish communities
El-Sayed, elected on Tuesday, stressed the need to separate Judaism and Jewish people from Israel's actions and rejected attempts to portray criticism of Israel as hatred of Jews. He pointed to Israel's policies in the occupied West Bank and restrictions on access to basic resources in the Gaza Strip, reiterating his characterization of the war as genocide.
Readiness to work with the White House
Speaking about Trump, El-Sayed said he is ready to work with anyone, emphasizing that politics should focus on upholding the rule of law and delivering results for the American public, not on political vendettas.
