Leaked Messages Spark Controversy Over Political Donations in 2024 Election
- Israel Friends co-founder Michael Sinensky faces death threats.
- Sinensky's comments were leaked following his effort to oust Ilhan Omar.
- Sinensky clarifies the leaked comments that prompted the threats.
A recent report by the Intercept has revealed leaked messages from a WhatsApp group chat involving donor David Sinensky, who has been actively supporting candidates in the upcoming 2024 election. Sinensky, a contributor to various Democratic campaigns, expressed his views on the political landscape, characterizing it as a struggle between extreme factions within both major parties. He described the Republican Party as harboring "alt right Christian Neo Nazis" and the Democratic Party as being influenced by "socialist, Marxist, anarchists supporting radical Islam," suggesting that right-wing extremists currently pose a lesser threat to Jewish Americans. In response to the backlash from the leaked messages, Sinensky issued a statement to the Washington Examiner, clarifying that he does not believe the majority of either party aligns with the extremist views he mentioned. He emphasized that his comments were directed at fringe groups and aimed to contextualize the difficult position Jewish voters find themselves in, where they must choose the "less imminent threat" for their survival. Sinensky criticized media portrayals that he feels misrepresent the situation, arguing that such narratives exacerbate antisemitism and societal division. The controversy arises amid efforts by Sinensky and others in the WhatsApp group, "Zionists for Don Samuels Against Ilhan Omar," to support Don Samuels in his campaign against Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, whom they view as a significant threat due to her anti-Israel stance. Sinensky described Samuels as a candidate who embodies values that resonate with many Americans while ensuring that Jewish voices are included in the Democratic Party's social justice discussions.