Detroit Democratic activist Al Williams wants to lead Michigan Democrats through 2026, and he has some thoughts on how the party should navigate issues dealing with Israel.

Williams offered his take on Israel and Palestine during a virtual candidate forum organized by The People’s Coalition and the Arab American Democratic Caucus, and it’s not sitting well with folks who will select the next chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party later this month.

“This is not the Jewish party. This is the Democratic Party,” Williams said at the Feb. 4 event. “There are more voices than just Zionists in this party. There are more voices than just Jewish Americans within this party. There are more voices than just those anti-Arab American voices within this party.”

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The comments came in response to a question about his stance on the conflict between Palestine and Israel, and whether Democrats should shift their position in the wake of Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat in Michigan in November.

Harris largely ignored calls from Michigan Arabs and Muslims demanding a ceasefire and end to all military aid for Israel, fueling an Abandon Harris campaign that many believe contributed to the VP’s 80,000 vote loss to Donald Trump in November.

“People in Southeast Michigan are socially networked that all knew someone who had family that passed away in Gaza,” Nura Sediqe, an assistant professor at Michigan State University, told MSU Today. “These folks have been generally very steadfast Democrat. They felt a sense of betrayal for advocating for a party that they’ve been a part of.”

Williams described the situation in Gaza as a “genocide” that should be countered with calls to restrict weapons sales to Israel, Forward reports.

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“The Democratic Party has always stood against that,” Williams said. “That is one of our traditions and values, except for when it comes to certain countries. And as chair, I’m going to stand on those values.”

Video of the remarks sparked backlash from both Jewish and Arab Democrats, while Williams doubled down in the media.

Jessica Alexander, a candidate to chair the party’s Jewish Caucus, told The Detroit News she viewed Williams’ remarks as “possibly disqualifying.”

“There are places for Jews in all political parties,” she said.

Rima Mohammad, a Palestinian founder of The People’s Coalition who moderated the event, told the news site she was shocked by Williams’ remarks.

“If that’s what Al thinks we want to hear as Palestinians, he is completely wrong,” she said.

When contacted by The News, Williams insisted he’s not anti-Semitic.

“They cannot control the entire party,” he said. “They are one of many voices.”

Williams is among three vying to chair the Michigan Democratic Party through the 2026 gubernatorial election, along with former state Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr., an East Lansing Democrat who lost his bid for the U.S. House in November, and Michigan Democratic Party Rural Caucus Chair Mark Ludwig, Michigan Advance reports.

Hertel, who is backed by term limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, offered a different take on the party’s position on Gaza at the Feb. 4 event, applauding a ceasefire that took hold the day before President Donald Trump’s inauguration last month.

“At the end of the day … I know I want the Israeli people and the Palestinian people to have some autonomy and the ability to live their lives as they see fit,” Hertel said.

Democrats are slated to select the new party chair at their biennial state convention at Detroit’s Renaissance Center on Feb. 22.

Republicans will also select a new party chair at a February convention in Detroit, after Trump selected current Party Chair Pete Hoekstra to serve as ambassador to Canada.

Four candidates vying for the chairmanship include former party co-chair Meshawn Maddock, state Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake, Republican consultant Scott Greenlee, and former Trump ambassador to Fiji Joe Cella.