A fellow freshman Democrat called out Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) for tweets she posted over the weekend that were critical of American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group.
It's all about the Benjamins baby ? https://t.co/KatcXJnZLV
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 10, 2019
Omar has been criticized by Republicans since she came to Washington for signaling support for the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement against Israel for its government’s treatment of Palestinian people. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) even equated her past comments to Rep. Steve King (R-IA), who was recently stripped of his committee posts and formally disciplined by the House for his white supremacy remarks.
On Sunday evening, journalist Glenn Greenwald tweeted in support of Omar and criticized McCarthy for equating the two, calling his priorities “warped.”
Equating @IlhanMN & @RashidaTlaib's criticism of Israel to Steve King's long defense of white supremacy is obscene (McCarthy said it's worse). In the US, we're allowed to criticize our own government: certainly foreign governments. The GOP House Leader's priorities are warped.
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) February 10, 2019
Omar reportedly responded, as Politico flagged, saying “It’s all about the Benjamins baby,” later adding she was referring to AIPAC. Critics interpreted her comments as a perpetuation of anti-Semitic rhetorical tropes — that Jewish people pump money into efforts to support Israel in the U.S. According to Politico, AIPAC doesn’t donate directly to political candidates, but it is known for pushing a pro-Israel message in Washington.
Rep. Max Rose (D-NY) tweeted out a statement, calling Omar’s remarks “deeply hurtful to Jews, including myself.”
Congresswoman Omar’s statements are deeply hurtful to Jews, including myself. pic.twitter.com/u3f2JHESFA
— Max Rose (@MaxRose4NY) February 11, 2019