Lankford says Israeli and Lebanese leaders asked him about Michigan Senate race

Right · 2Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) told reporters on Monday 12 October that Israeli leaders are closely watching the U.S. midterm elections, particularly the Michigan Senate race. 1 2 Right · 1He was briefing on a recent trip to Israel and Lebanon that coincided with the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks; it was meant to be part of a wider Middle East tour but was cut short by security threats, and he spent three days in Israel and a day and a half in Lebanon. 1 Right · 2Lankford said several Israeli leaders, whom he did not name, quietly asked him at the end of meetings, "Tell me what’s going to happen in the Michigan Senate race." 2 1

Right · 1The race pits Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, a former Detroit health director who has made opposition to Israel a focal point of his campaign, against former Republican congressman Mike Rogers; polls suggest it is close. 2 Right · 1JNS reported that Rogers accused El-Sayed in a recent debate of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, which El-Sayed denies, and that the Republican Jewish Coalition has called him "the most antisemitic U.S. Senate candidate in America." 2 Right · 2Lankford said Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who leads the Shia Amal Movement, also raised the race and told him the party has "an extension of our party in Michigan"; Lankford said he did not press the point and that he and his team were surprised. 1 2

Right · 1JNS noted that Amal, which is partnered with Hezbollah in Lebanon's governing coalition, has a Dearborn-based foundation, though it is unclear whether that is the entity Berri meant; JNS said it sought comment from Amal. 2 Right · 1Lankford said Israeli leaders regard their relationship with the U.S. as of paramount importance, and that a U.S. pullback would hurt Israeli and American security and empower Iran. 1 Right · 2On Israel-Lebanon relations, Lankford voiced optimism about U.S.-driven progress, saying "at least they’re talking to each other while finger-pointing." 1 2

Right · 1JNS also reported Lankford's view that Hezbollah disarmament is progressing despite little visible movement, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun describing weapons caches and a bunker cleared by the Lebanese Armed Forces. 2 Right · 1Lankford said it is time for the UNIFIL mission, whose mandate expires at the end of the year, to end, with its bases handed to the Lebanese Armed Forces and short-term third-party verification by a country still to be identified. 2