Abdul El-Sayed taps former Kamala Harris aide who once accused Zionists of controlling US politics to lead transition team

Abdul El-Sayed has tapped a former Kamala Harris campaign aide who once claimed Zionists were “controlling” American politics to help lead his transition following his stunning Michigan Senate victory.Brenda Abdelall, an Egyptian-American attorney who previously served as Harris’ director of Arab-American outreach during her 2024 presidential campaign, has been named transition director for the newly elected senator. The appointment puts Abdelall back in the political spotlight over controversial remarks she made at an American Muslim Council convention.The incendiary comments resurfaced during Harris’ presidential campaign and prompted a public defense from the Democratic nominee’s team.“The Zionists have a strong voice in American politics,” Abdelall told The New York Sun in a 2002 interview while at the convention.

“I would say they’re controlling a lot of it.”Abdelall made the remarks after being asked about a speaker at the event who claimed Zionists were “destroying America.” She responded that “destroying” was a harsh word, but went on to suggest supporters of Israel wielded significant control over American politics.The comments first resurfaced in August 2024, shortly after Harris tapped Abdelall to lead her campaign’s outreach to Arab-American voters.At the time, a Harris campaign spokesperson defended the appointment, pointing to Abdelall’s work at the Department of Homeland Security, where she helped implement the Biden administration’s first National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.“Those 2002 comments do not reflect Brenda’s views or the views of the campaign,” the spokesperson said.Abdelall also helped lead efforts for the White House’s United We Stand summit, an initiative aimed at combating hate-fueled violence.Abdelall’s appointment to El-Sayed’s transition team also comes as Democrats continue to grapple with divisions over Israel, particularly among the party’s progressive wing, which has increas...