Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sharply criticized Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., accusing her of attempting to excuse anti-Semitism after the congresswoman argued that his leadership has made the United States less safe and placed American Jews in a difficult position.
The exchange comes as Stevens campaigns for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, where she is facing former state public health official Abdul El-Sayed in a closely watched primary race.
El-Sayed has been an outspoken critic of Netanyahu and the Israeli government at a time when Israel’s standing among Democratic voters has declined. The article attributes that shift in part to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, which health officials in Gaza say has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, a figure the article says the Israel Defense Forces has reportedly acknowledged as legitimate. The article also states that Netanyahu successfully urged President Donald Trump to launch strikes against Iran in February, leading to a war that is now under what it describes as a ceasefire, although both sides have occasionally continued military strikes.
Despite the growing criticism of Israel within parts of the Democratic Party, Stevens has consistently maintained a pro-Israel record.
During a 2023 speech, Stevens said she fights for Israel in Congress and remarked, “Israel comes to me in my dreams!”
More recently, however, Stevens has criticized both Trump and Netanyahu over the conflict involving Iran. Her campaign has also faced scrutiny from El-Sayed, who has highlighted her support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a prominent pro-Israel advocacy organization.
According to the article, recent polling shows a tight Democratic Senate contest, with El-Sayed leading in the last three surveys.
Netanyahu addressed Stevens’ criticism during an appearance Tuesday on CNN’s Inside Politics.
Host Dana Bash referenced comments Stevens had made, saying that some American Jewish lawmakers who support Israel believe actions taken by Netanyahu and his government have made Jews in the United States feel less safe.
Bash then quoted Stevens, who said, “Benjamin Netanyahu has made us less safe. He has, frankly, put Jews in an uncomfortable position across the country.”
Asked whether he believed that was true, Netanyahu dismissed the criticism.
“Well, it’s made her uncomfortable because she can’t stand up for the truth,” the Israeli prime minister responded. “She’s trying to probably excuse anti-Semitism. You know—”
Before Netanyahu could continue, Bash interrupted to clarify Stevens’ record on Israel.
“She’s not,” Bash said. “I just want to explain she’s somebody who supports Israel. She supports funding Israel, which is diminishing bigtime among Democrats and even some Republicans in the United States Congress.”
Following Bash’s clarification, Netanyahu shifted the discussion, arguing that TikTok exposes users to content portraying Israel negatively.
Later Tuesday, Stevens addressed Netanyahu’s comments during a debate in Michigan, using the exchange to reinforce her own position.
“I am not afraid of bullies,” Stevens said in response to the Israeli leader’s criticism. “I am not afraid to stand up. And I continue to stand up for humanitarian aid, for the U.S. to work with the countries in the region and get aid into Gaza.”
The public dispute quickly became part of the Senate campaign as Stevens and El-Sayed continue competing for Democratic voters.
According to Politico, Netanyahu’s criticism may have unintentionally benefited Stevens politically.
The outlet reported Tuesday night that the prime minister’s remarks provided Stevens with an opportunity to create distance between herself and pro-Israel positions that, according to the article, have become significantly less popular among Democratic voters.
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