Michigan Senate candidate says Israel is not a US ally

Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, stated in an interview with ABC News that Israel should not be considered a U.S. ally. He argued that Israel has pushed the U.S. into wars it should not be fighting and described the country as "not our friend," according to breitbart.com and nypost.com.

El-Sayed used an analogy comparing the U.S.-Israel relationship to a friend who provokes danger, saying both Israel and Iran have contributed to increased global conflict. He dismissed the question of whether Israel or Iran poses a greater threat to the U.S. as "ridiculous," emphasizing that both countries have been dangerous in their own ways, as reported by breitbart.com.

He further criticized Israel's government, including its prime minister, for using the U.S. and not caring about it implicitly. El-Sayed suggested that Israel has taken U.S. resources and pushed the country into conflicts for decades, as detailed by nypost.com.

This stance was part of El-Sayed's broader critique of U.S. foreign policy and its involvement in wars that he said have negative economic impacts, such as raising gas prices and grocery costs, according to breitbart.com.

The comments come amid a critical election in Israel and ongoing debates about U.S. alliances and foreign policy, highlighting differing views on the relationship between the U.S. and Israel.

What we're watching: How El-Sayed's statements on Israel will influence his Senate campaign and voter opinions in Michigan and beyond.