Ad linking U.S. grocery prices to Israel sparks accusations of antisemitism
A political advertisement supporting Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed blames high food costs on U.S. funding for Israel, prompting condemnation as antisemitic.
A new advertisement released by Rebellion PAC in support of Democratic Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan argues that U.S. tax dollars funding Israel's military and health system are responsible for rising grocery prices, depicting a couple putting eggs and bananas back on the shelf. The ad includes a disclaimer that it was not authorized by the candidate. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, denounced the spot as scapegoating Israel and an example of antisemitism.
Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, senior envoy for Europe at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, called it among the most antisemitic political ads she has encountered. Progressive activist Brianna Wu, a co-founder and former executive director of Rebellion PAC, said she had no role in creating the ad and left the group years earlier, expressing personal disappointment with the message.
Why it matters
The ad links domestic economic concerns to foreign policy, raising concerns about hate speech in U.S. political campaigning.
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