Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY) have been engaged in a nasty Twitter battle this week, with Omar suggesting that Zeldin is Islamophobic and Zeldin calling her anti-Semitic.
The fight stems from the congresspeople’s differing positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and BDS.
Omar has also recently apologized for anti-Israel comments she made in 2012, saying that she didn’t realize how her comments would be “offensive to Jewish Americans.” She compared her initial defensiveness after being called anti-Semitic to white people’s reactions when called out on their inherent privilege—she said she had to take “a deep breath” to step back and understand where people were coming from.
Zeldin kicked off this week’s back-and-forth Tuesday by tweeting that it was “crazy” that Democrats put Omar on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations with him.
Was just selected as Ranking Member of the @HouseForeign Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations! Just learned Freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar was also put on this committee w oversight of US foreign policy. Crazy to watch what House Dems are empowering/elevating.
— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) January 29, 2019
Some observers denounced the tweet as an Islamophobic dogwhistle and Omar seemed to agree.
Don’t mind him, he is just waking up to the reality of having Muslim women as colleagues who know how to stand up to bullies!
It’s gonna be fun watching him lose his marbles ? https://t.co/FPEtcxW4GN
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 31, 2019
Zeldin retorted sharply.
Those poor innocent ISIS fighters & Palestinian terrorists right? Give me a break! That’s a problem no matter your religion or gender Ilhan. Your anti-Semitic & anti-Israel hate is strong & wrong & those terrorists have US blood on their hands as well. https://t.co/yVmS6Tdd8T
— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) January 31, 2019
Despite the impassioned exchange, the two lawmakers seemed to end on a somewhat conciliatory note. Zeldin shared a voicemail his office received with Omar, in which a man rants that “Hitler should have done his job” and calls Zeldin and “you people” “maggots” and “animals.”
Omar extended an olive branch in response.
This is heinous and hateful. I too am flooded with bigoted voicemails and calls every day.
Maybe we could meet and share notes on how to fight religious discrimination of all kinds?
Maybe over Somali tea, in your old office which I happen to be in now. https://t.co/FQ909kYSwo
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 1, 2019
Let’s do that! Are you saying you disagree w/everything said in that voicemail? I sure do & it would be great if you did as well & cosponsored & helped #PassHRes72. That would be a step in the right direction. https://t.co/RYIqDN5Mby
— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) February 1, 2019
Omar and Zeldin aren’t the only two polar-opposite lawmakers to come to verbal blows soon after being placed on a committee together: Omar’s freshman peer Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) wasted little time before exchanging jabs at the first House Oversight Committee meeting Tuesday.
