Omar suggested that the pro-Israel lobby pushes lawmakers to show 'allegiance to a foreign country' and said the charge of anti-Semitism is 'designed to end the debate' about Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
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.The tweet was part of an exchange with Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., who said lawmakers should be able to debate without"prejudice or bigotry."."I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress.
Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., are the first Muslim women elected to Congress. During her remarks at last week's town hall, Omar said she was concerned that her Jewish colleagues interpret "everything we say about Israel" as"anti-Semitic because we are Muslim."Democratic House leaders denounced fellow Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar's tweet, saying, "Anti-Semitism must be called out, confronted and condemned whenever it is encountered, without exception.
"Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes. My intention is never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole," she said in a statement on Feb. 11. "That is why I unequivocally apologize," she said, although she added that she was not apologizing for"the problematic role of lobbyists in our politics, whether it be AIPAC, the NRA, or the fossil fuel industry."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Engel slams Omar for saying pro-Israel groups push foreign allegianceThe chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee called Friday for freshman Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar to apologize after insinuating that pro-Israel groups are pushing 'allegiance to a foreign country.'
Read more »
Democrats Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib sign pledge to impeach Donald Trump'I can’t wait for us to show people, especially families in my district, that they are being put first—and that we’re going to hold everyone accountable to the law,' Tlaib said.
Read more »
House Dems agonize over Ilhan OmarNancy Pelosi and top Democrats are confronting a new controversy this week involving freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has defied her colleagues’ calls to apologize for recent comments viewed as anti-Semitic
Read more »
House Dems will vote on a resolution in response to Ilhan Omar’s Israel commentsBREAKING: House Democratic leaders will put a resolution on the floor Wednesday in response to controversial remarks about Israel from Rep. Ilhan Omar
Read more »
House to vote on anti-Semitism measure after Rep. Omar's Israel remarksHouse will vote Wednesday on a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism after Rep. Omar made controversial remarks about Israel at a DC forum last week, a senior Democratic aide says.
Read more »
Ilhan Omar feuds with fellow Democrat over alleged anti-semitic comments: 'Democracy Is Built On Debate'Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) on Sunday accused Omar of continuing to “mischaracterize” support for Israel from U.S. lawmakers.
Read more »
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stands up for Ilhan Omar, calls on leaders to denounce 'blatant' IslamophobiaCongresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defended fellow freshman representative Ilhan Omar against anti-Muslim attacks
Read more »
Poster linking Rep. Ilhan Omar to 9/11 sparks outrage at West Virginia CapitolThe poster, at a table in the capitol's rotunda, featured an image of Muslim congresswoman Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, spliced next to one of the twin towers burning during the 9/11 attacks.
Read more »
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar blasted again for what critics call anti-SemitismRep. Ilhan Omar came under a fresh round of criticism Friday for remarks about Israel that critics decried as anti-Semitic.
Read more »