El-Sayed Names Controversial Transition Director Amid Israel Ties
Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed appoints Brenda Abdelall, a former Biden official with controversial remarks on Israel, to lead his Senate transition.
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Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed (D-MI) has appointed Brenda Abdelall, a former Biden administration official and campaign aide to former Vice President Kamala Harris, as his Senate transition director. The move has sparked renewed scrutiny over Abdelall’s past remarks suggesting that Zionists controlled American politics.
Abdelall’s Controversial Remarks
Abdelall, an Egyptian-American attorney and professor, made headlines in 2002 when she claimed that Zionists had a strong voice in American politics and were controlling much of it. She made these comments during a discussion on the defeat of then-Rep. Earl Hilliard (D-AL), who lost a primary after pro-Israel groups spent heavily against him. Hilliard had opposed a congressional resolution condemning Palestinian terrorist attacks against Israel.
Abdelall’s remarks resurfaced in 2024 after she was hired by Harris for her presidential campaign. A Harris campaign spokesperson defended the appointment, stating that the 2002 comments no longer reflected Abdelall’s views.
Abdelall’s Role in Biden Administration
Abdelall previously served as Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement at the Department of Homeland Security under President Joe Biden. In this role, she helped implement the administration’s first National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, announced in May 2023. She also helped organize the White House’s United We Stand summit, which focused on combating hate-fueled violence.
El-Sayed’s Stance on Israel
El-Sayed, who won his Senate race against Republican Mike Rogers, faces questions about his own record on Israel and his associations with activists who have made controversial statements about the Jewish state and the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. During his campaign, El-Sayed repeatedly criticized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and argued that the United States should use its leverage to pressure the Israeli government.
El-Sayed has also bristled at questions about Israel and his connections to anti-Israel activists, including ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. He has argued that the focus should remain on his campaign priorities, such as health care and reducing political corruption.
Controversial Campaign Appearances
El-Sayed’s campaign appearances with communist influencer Hasan Piker, who has made inflammatory remarks about America and Israel, have drawn criticism. He also campaigned with Dearborn community leader Osama Siblani, who has referred to Hamas and Hezbollah as “freedom fighters.”
Abdelall’s appointment could signal that Middle East policy will remain a significant part of El-Sayed’s political orbit as he prepares to take office. His campaign has not publicly commented on the hiring.
Source: Daily Wire
