The Democratic Primary
August 1, 2022
Our Jewish Political Guide is tracking a variety of important battles that will shape the conversation in electoral politics. One of the most important primary races that are shaping up on the Democratic side is the one for Michigan’s newly drawn 11th Congressional District, which is pitting two incumbents head to head: Rep. Haley Stevens and Rep. Andy Levin. All Jewish voters should know where the candidates stand on the issues important to them.
Michigan’s 11th Congressional District – Democratic Primary Race
Rep. Haley Stevens currently represents Michigan’s current 11th District, while Rep. Andy Levin represents the 9th. Their primary election is scheduled for August 2, 2022, and, with the district considered as safe democratic, this race will be decisive towards who will likely represent the MI-11 in the 118th Congress.
Both Rep. Andy Levin, who is Jewish, and Rep. Haley Stevens have been vocal on important issues facing the Jewish community, and have a significant track record to examine as they court the Jewish vote in this primary.
While Rep. Stevens has been endorsed by AIPAC and centrist pro-Israel groups and elected officials, Rep. Levin has been supported by the liberal J Street group and progressive politicians such as Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Sen. Bernie Sanders, etc.
Rep. Haley Stevens provided the below video to circulate throughout the JPG. Unfortunately, Rep. Levin’s campaign did not respond to our request.
· Iran Nuclear Deal
Rep. Andy Levin has been supportive of the negotiations in Vienna. In February 2022, he stated that “we know that the Iran nuclear deal worked,” and that the nuclear deal “is the best option as we move towards building peace, constraining Iran’s nuclear capabilities and empowering Iranians.”
Rep. Haley Stevens was one of the twelve Democratic signatories of a bipartisan congressional letter sent to President Biden in March 2022, signaling concerns regarding the Administration’s plans to reenter the Iran nuclear deal. The letter highlighted that it would be hard for the signatories “to envision supporting an agreement along the lines being publicly discussed” at the time. The letter emphasized concerns with Iran’s breakout time, the potential lifting of the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iranian support for terrorist proxies throughout the region, and more.
· Two-State Solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
In September 2021, Rep. Andy Levin introduced in the House the “Two-State Solution Act,” legislation that he argues will accelerate progress towards a two-state solution. The legislation seeks to discourage steps that push that kind of solution out of reach and emphasizes that “the establishment of Israeli settlements…is inconsistent with international law,” and that “settlement expansion, demolitions of Palestinian homes, revocations of residency permits, and forced evictions of Palestinian civilians by Israel impede the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
Rep. Haley Stevens supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stating on her campaign website that she supports “a negotiated solution resulting in two states—a democratic Jewish State of Israel, and a viable, democratic Palestinian state—living side-by-side in peace, security, and mutual recognition.” At the same time, she argues that “while a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is vital for long-term safety and security in the region, it cannot infringe on Israel’s right to exist safely and as a Jewish state.”
· U.S. Security Aid to Israel
Rep. Levin has supported U.S. security aid to Israel and voted for legislation that provides funding for Israel’s Iron Dome air-defense system. His “Two-State Solution Act,” however, aims to define “how U.S. security assistance to Israel cannot be used for occupation or annexation,” which effectively means conditioning aid.
Rep. Stevens has supported U.S. security aid to Israel and states in her foreign policy positions on her website that “Congress must continue to unconditionally support critical programs that help Israel upgrade its fleets in air, land, and sea, enhance the mobility of its ground forces, and continue to strengthen its missile defense capabilities.” In September 2021, she was one of the Members of Congress that urged House leadership to vote on a bill providing funding for the replenishment of Israel’s Iron Dome air-defense system.
· BDS & the Delegitimization of Israel
Rep. Andy Levin has stated that he opposes the BDS movement, stating that he is “against singling out Israel among all countries of the world.” While he supported a House resolution that expressed opposition to the global BDS movement, Rep. Levin argued that “the BDS (campaign) is really not helpful to get to a two-state solution and is perhaps even antithetical to it.”
Rep. Haley Stevens has called out the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, arguing that its “main goal is to delegitimize Israel’s existence and inflame tensions in communities and on college campuses.” She has been explicit about her intention to “support legislative efforts in Congress that push back against the BDS movement.” In February 2022, Rep. Haley Stevens released a statement stating that she was “deeply concerned by the persistent and growing effort to demonize Israel, the world’s only Jewish state and a close American ally, on the international stage.” Rep Stevens went on to specifically mention the “chronic bias displayed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)” and the “accusations put out by groups like Amnesty International.”