Michigan Democrat who lost Senate primary attacks Bernie Sanders over Israel stance

Following her defeat in the Michigan Senate primary to Abdul El-Sayed, Rep. Haley Stevens took aim at Senator Bernie Sanders, describing his anti-Zionist rhetoric as a "sickness" that should end. She asserted that Israel should not be used as a "punching bag" for American problems and called for a broader Democratic embrace of Israel. While endorsing El-Sayed, Stevens urged him to sever ties with far-left streamer Hasan Piker, whom she sees as a liability.

Her statements arrived as one outlet's poll indicated a sharp drop in U.S. public favorability toward Israel. Sanders' office did not respond to requests for comment. Human-rights attorney Qasim Rashid rebuked Stevens, saying her position opposes documented evidence of Israeli violations and U.S. legal standards, and could hurt Democratic prospects in Michigan.