House Democratic leaders are currently crafting a resolution condemning anti-semitism in response to comments from Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) which have been criticized as anti-Semitic by some of her colleagues, Politico and The Hill reported Monday.
Staffers for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Reps. Eliot Engel (D-NY) Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Ted Deutch (D-FL) are currently working on writing the resolution but leaders plan to vote on the resolution on Wednesday, according to The Hill.
Omar received backlash again over the weekend for commenting on pro-Israel advocates’ “allegiance to a foreign country,” a remark seen as anti-Semitic by Omar’s Jewish colleagues. House Appropriations Committee chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), who is Jewish, called Omar’s comments a perpetuation of “offensive, painful stereotypes” about Jewish people. Engel called Omar’s remarks a “vile anti-Semitic slur.”
No member of Congress is asked to swear allegiance to another country. Throughout history, Jews have been accused of dual loyalty, leading to discrimination and violence, which is why these accusations are so hurtful.
— Nita Lowey (@NitaLowey) March 3, 2019
Omar dug in on Twitter, arguing she was simply questioning the U.S.’s relationship with Israel.
Our democracy is built on debate, Congresswoman! I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee. The people of the 5th elected me to serve their interest. I am sure we agree on that! https://t.co/gglAS4FVJW
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 3, 2019
I am told everyday that I am anti-American if I am not pro-Israel. I find that to be problematic and I am not alone. I just happen to be willing to speak up on it and open myself to attacks.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 3, 2019
Just weeks ago, Omar was called out by Democratic leadership and prompted to apologize after she published a tweet criticizing the influence of the powerful lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), another comment many found anti-Semitic.
Omar has not hidden her opposition to Israeli policies since before she was elected. She openly supports BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) against the Israeli government and has been outspoken about the sway AIPAC has in Washington.
I don’t see Rep. Omar having an especially long career in Democratic politics if she can’t figure out how to talk about complex, nuanced subjects without accidentally (?) trying to chew her foot off.
We’re holding her to a much higher standard than the GOP adopts. That’s fine. I’m quite okay having higher standards than the GOP.
Here we go again - Democrats could screw up a wet dream.
l’m with Representative Omar on this one, and those inventing reasons to attack her prove her point.
Only half-joking - I’m starting to feel like I’m being radicalized by stupid Democrats.
Even though Congresswoman Omar has the savoir-faire of a T-Rex, any attempt at debate about Israel/AIPAC shouldn’t be met with accusations of antisemitism. We’re better than that.
And she’s better than you, by far.
Enough is enough. This is the Dems forming a circular firing squad in response to Faux News propaganda and the GOP’s obvious new strategy of trying to label all of liberalism and the entire Dem party as anti-semitic. It’s weak and another cave in the face of people saying mean things about them. Omar’s word choice is unfortunate sometimes and her failure to articulate her points fully and accurately is driving me fucking crazy, BUT she’s not fucking wrong. Not even remotely.
Where is it fucking written that we can complain about money in politics from every group on the planet EXCEPT Jews? That doing so is automatically anti-semitic? Why the fuck can’t the Dems just stand up and stand FOR something for once? Israel’s policies towards Palestine and the Palestinian people are outright fascist and genocidal at this point. Their expansionism and drift towards far-right neofascism and the use of “our history of victimhood justifies any atrocities we desire to commit” bullshit is all abhorrent and yet nobody can utter a fucking PEEP about it without getting accused of neo-nazism. WHY? Because there’s a giant fucking lobby comprised of myriad groups with millions and millions in campaign donations they’re willing to hand out to the most obsequious, fawning pro-Israel asshole out there…just like there is for gun nuts, anti-abortion crazies, big banks, insurance companies, Big Oil, Big Pharma and all sorts of other lobbying cabals. Omar needs a lesson in making her points without triggering this shit, if only because we’re never going to change the dynamic that allows this distraction/deflection bullshit to be triggered in the first place, BUT SHE’S NOT WRONG.