Minnesota’s Democratic nominee is an Israel critic, but she is not El-Sayed 2.0
During the lead-up to the primary, Flanagan was vocal about her opponent Craig’s support from the pro-Israel lobby, calling her “AIPAC’s candidate.”
Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota's potential future senator, triumphed over Rep. Angie Craig in Tuesday's election. While the result echoes Michigan's recent midwestern election, Flanagan diverges from Abdul El-Sayed, another pro-Israel critic, in key aspects regarding Israel and Jewish matters. Flanagan has not aligned herself with El-Sayed and several other left-wing congressional candidates who oppose US funding for defensive weapons such as Iron Dome.
Her platform pledges to join incumbent Minnesota senators Amy Klobuchar, aiming for the governorship, and Tina Smith in opposing offensive weapons sales to Israel—a stance supported by 40 out of 47 Democratic senators in April. Her platform further advocates for a "two-state solution" offering Israel's security and Palestinian self-determination, an approach El-Sayed refuses to endorse.
Flanagan unequivocally denounced anti-Semitism, particularly following the October 7, 2023 synagogue attack in Minneapolis, where Temple Israel was defaced with antisemitic symbols. Unlike El-Sayed who did not commit to recognizing Israel's existence as a Jewish state or a two-state solution, Flanagan remains resolute in her stance.
Despite some unsettled moves, such as singling out AIPAC in her Craig campaign, Flanagan explicitly condemned antisemitism and vowed to stand with Jewish Minnesotans against hate. She secured endorsements from progressive Jewish organizations like Bend the Arc. Now, Flanagan will face Republican Michele Tafoya, a supporter of Israel, in November.
Minnesota, increasingly leaning blue, has not elected a Republican US Senator since 2002. Flanagan aims to unseat Tafoya, while also refusing to back New York's Chuck Schumer if he seeks another Senate term.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
