Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized comments about Israel made by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, calling the positions “wrong” and saying they do not represent Democrats serving in Congress.

During an appearance on Donny Deutsch’s On Brand podcast, Deutsch argued that refusing to recognize Israel as a Jewish state was antisemitic in his view and named Mamdani and El-Sayed as examples. Pelosi responded that the issue was “more than concerning” and said those views were not reflective of congressional Democrats.

Mamdani has said he supports Israel existing as a state with equal rights for everyone but has declined to endorse its identity specifically as a Jewish state. In a June ABC interview, he said he could not support a state that “privileges one religion over the other,” applying the same principle to other countries.

El-Sayed similarly said during a May event with Jewish supporters that he “struggled” with the question of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and questioned how such a designation fits with liberal democratic values.

Pelosi nevertheless has not withdrawn her political support for El-Sayed. Her spokesperson clarified after the interview that she continues to support his Senate campaign while disagreeing with him on Israel.

The exchange highlights continuing disagreements within the Democratic coalition over Israel, particularly as El-Sayed approaches his November Senate election against Republican Mike Rogers.