Michael Sinensky, a wealthy entrepreneur and co-founder of Israel Friends, recently found himself at the center of controversy following his efforts to mobilize Jewish voters against Rep. Ilhan Omar in her primary election stepping in to support Don Samuels, Omar’s challenger.

Sinensky’s involvement in the attempt to defeat Omar has drawn attention, criticism, and threats after details of his efforts were leaked, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The controversy began when the pro-Israel PAC decided against supporting Samuels, who was running against Omar in the primary election.

Seeing a lack of financial support from the PAC, Sinensky took the initiative to rally Jewish voters, emphasizing the importance of removing Omar from office. Israel Friends, the organization co-founded by Sinensky, has been a significant fundraiser, raising over $26 million for Israel in the aftermath of Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre.

Death Threats and Accusations Amidst Fundraising Efforts

Sinensky's efforts were met with severe backlash, including death threats. The controversy escalated after WhatsApp messages from a group chat were leaked, revealing strategies to infuse funds into Samuels’s campaign.

The group chat, which had undergone several name changes over nine months, was eventually called “Zionists for Don Samuels Against Ilhan Omar” during the Minnesota primary campaign.

Omar responded to the leaked messages by criticizing the group, accusing them of discussing their preference for "alt right Christian Neo Nazis." This accusation added fuel to the fire, prompting Sinensky to clarify his position. He accused the media, specifically The Intercept, of sensationalizing his statements and taking them out of context.

Clarifications Amid Rising Antisemitism

Sinensky emphasized that his comments were aimed at fringe groups on both sides of the political spectrum. He stated that while left-wing extremists pose a more imminent threat, the situation for American Jews has become increasingly dire.

He lamented that his statement to The Intercept was largely ignored, forcing him to clarify his position in a later interview with the Examiner.

Sinensky expressed deep concern over the rise in antisemitism, pointing to recent incidents of anti-Jewish stabbings and hate crimes following the Oct. 7 massacre. He argued that this surge in antisemitism necessitates a more organized and proactive approach from Jewish communities to ensure their survival.

The Political Landscape and AIPAC’s Involvement

The primary election saw Omar’s victory by a narrower margin than expected, with a 14-point lead. Despite the close race, AIPAC, a major pro-Israel lobbying group, spent only $19,000 on advertising for Omar’s race.

Members of the WhatsApp group speculated about AIPAC’s hesitance to support Samuels, questioning why the organization did not contribute more heavily, as it had in the past.

In 2022, AIPAC contributed $350,000 to Omar’s opposition but chose not to focus heavily on the 2024 race. Sinensky’s group raised more funds for Samuels than AIPAC did in 2022, a fact that he highlighted as evidence of the grassroots strength in the district.

He believed that Republicans switching parties to vote for Samuels demonstrated widespread support for a candidate who represents values supported by most Americans and includes Jews in social justice efforts.

Sinensky’s Defense and Final Remarks

Despite the threats and accusations, Sinensky remains firm in his stance. He asserted that no Jew wants to support individuals who harbor hatred toward them and emphasized the importance of identifying the lesser threat in a political landscape increasingly hostile to Jews.

He described the situation as dire, requiring Jews to take actions that might be distasteful in the short term but necessary for survival.

Sinensky further criticized the media for what he sees as a failure to empathize with American Jews. He accused them of weaponizing the fears of Jewish communities to further vilify them, ultimately contributing to the rise in antisemitism and hate. He stressed that the need for American Jews to organize and act in their political interests is more urgent than ever.

In conclusion, Sinensky made it clear that he would not apologize for exercising his democratic right to support Don Samuels.  He remains committed to fighting against what he views as a growing threat to Jewish communities, both from the far-right and the far-left, and believes that his efforts in the Minnesota primary were a crucial step in this battle.