Controversial freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (R) has once again stirred the anti-Semitic pot and appears to have possibly reaffirmed her seemingly anti-Israel position.
Rep. Omar tweeted that she “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. That foreign country in question is 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
Omar was responding to fellow congressional Democrat, Rep. Nita Lowrey of New York, who called out Omar continuing to “mischaracterize support for Israel” and urged her to “retract” her statement and “engage in further dialogue with the Jewish community.”
Here is the entire Twitter exchange between the two Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
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 have not mischaracterized our relationship with Israel, I have questioned it and that has been clear from my end.
— 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
Being opposed to Netanyahu and the occupation is not the same as being anti-Semitic. I am grateful to the many Jewish allies who have spoken out and said the same.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 3, 2019
Veteran Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) piled on, saying that Omar "hurtful comments continue."
Sadly, misunderstandings over anti-Semitic, hurtful comments continue, as does hateful Islamaphobic rhetoric. Dialogue leads to understanding. @IlhanMN, repeated misunderstandings would seem to require dialogue to avoid repetitive harm.
— Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) March 4, 2019
Rep. Omar,who contends that she is not anti-Semitic or anti-Israel, rather someone who promotes fairness, has a past that brings all this into question. Omar’s past, and probably current support for Palestine, as well as her history of making apparent anti-Israel remarks, have marred her short term in office.
Here are just a couple examples of Omar's questionable past:
Drawing attention to the apartheid Israeli regime is far from hating Jews. You are a hateful sad man, I pray to Allah you get the help you need and find happiness. https://t.co/SvEXjlxlEN
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 31, 2018
