Abdul El-Sayed's Victory: Has Israel Lost America? | Sami Hamdi

Summary

Sami Hamdi argues that the US midterm results should not be read simply as a Democratic “blue wave.” In his view, voters punished both Donald Trump and Republican candidates for breaking promises to put America first, as well as Democratic leaders for their longstanding support for Israel. He presents the elections as another sign that backing Israel—particularly amid the war in Gaza and the Iran conflict—is becoming an electoral liability.

Hamdi points to Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan, James Talarico’s win in Texas, and Zohran Mamdani’s earlier victory in New York as examples of candidates who, he says, connected opposition to Israeli policies with voters’ domestic concerns. He argues that the Iran war intensified economic pressures through higher fuel and transport costs, contributing to inflation and concerns about grocery prices. In his account, voters increasingly see a connection between money and political support sent overseas and the financial strains they face at home.

He also cites AIPAC’s spending against candidates, the relatively small share of its spending that went to winners in this election, and its reported decision to stop publicly endorsing candidates as signs that the group may be facing greater resistance. Hamdi says the backlash crosses party lines: some Republican voters backed Democrats they would otherwise oppose because they were angry with Trump’s actions and his relationship with Israel. He highlights comments by figures including JD Vance as evidence that the issue is being acknowledged within Republican circles, while criticizing Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Cory Booker for not responding similarly.

Hamdi defends his support for the 2024 “Abandon Biden” and “Abandon Harris” campaigns as a call to oppose support for genocide, not as an endorsement of Republicans or a particular party. He says the aim was to make support for Israel politically consequential so that future candidates would have to take the issue seriously. He argues that the subsequent election results show this pressure has continued beyond 2024.

The conversation considers whether politicians such as El-Sayed and Mamdani might be absorbed or constrained by their parties. Hamdi says voters should judge them by their actions and continue holding them accountable, while allowing for practical cooperation—including across party lines—when it can serve the public good. He rejects both automatic loyalty to a party and the idea that political engagement is inherently corrupt.

Hamdi frames this approach as a Muslim civic responsibility: engage with society, help neighbours, communicate respectfully, and work for justice rather than simply condemning people. Drawing on Islamic history and the Prophet Muhammad’s example, he argues that opponents can change and that small acts—such as sharing information, organizing, or voting—can contribute to larger shifts. He sees ordinary people’s activism and voting, rather than powerful institutions alone, as drivers of political change.

Looking ahead, Hamdi predicts that the next two years will bring pressure on Democratic leaders to reflect voters’ views, alongside a debate within the Republican Party over its relationship with Israel. He says a future presidential candidate openly opposing US aid and support for Israel is now conceivable, though he does not predict which party such a candidate would represent. His central message is to sustain public pressure and judge political leaders by whether they act against injustice.

Presenters and Contributors

• Muhammad Jalal — Presenter/interviewer
• Sami Hamdi — Guest/contributor