Despite calls from members of her own party to “clarify her words,” Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar has continued to criticize Israel.
On Thursday Omar posted on Twitter saying, “It’s shameful for colleagues who call me when they need my support to now put out a statement asking for ‘clarification’ and not just call. The islamophobic tropes in this statement are offensive. The constant harassment & silencing from the signers of this letter is unbearable.”
It’s shameful for colleagues who call me when they need my support to now put out a statement asking for “clarification” and not just call.
The islamophobic tropes in this statement are offensive. The constant harassment & silencing from the signers of this letter is unbearable. https://t.co/37dy2UduW0
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) June 10, 2021
The congresswoman’s tweet was in response to a news release sent by Illinois Democratic Rep. Brad Schneider and other House Democrats on Wednesday.
In a statement, the members of the House of Representatives said, “Equating the United States and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban is as offensive as it is misguided. Ignoring the differences between democracies governed by the rule of law and contemptible organizations that engage in terrorism at
best discredits one’s intended argument and at worst reflects deep-seated prejudice, The United States and Israel are imperfect and, like all democracies, at times deserving of critique, but false equivalencies give cover to terrorist groups. We urge Congresswoman Omar to clarify her words placing the US and Israel in the same category as Hamas and the Taliban.”
The other members of the House were identified as Reps. Massachusetts’ Jake Auchincloss, Florida’s Ted Deutch, Florida’s Lois Frankel, New Jersey’s Josh Gottheimer, Virginia’s Elaine Luria, North Carolina’s Kathy Manning, New York’s Jerrold Nadler, Minnesota’s Dean Phillips, Washington’s Kim Schrier, California’s Brad Sherman, and Florida’s Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
On Thursday, Rep. Brad Schneider also tweeted on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s controversial video against Israel.
Equating the U.S. and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban is as offensive as it is misguided. Ignoring the differences between democracies governed by the rule of law and organizations that engage in terrorism discredits one’s intended argument and reflects deep-seated prejudice. https://t.co/KOdgPqvQdT
— Rep. Brad Schneider (@RepSchneider) June 10, 2021
Omar tweeted, “We must have the same level of accountability and justice for all victims of crimes against humanity. We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban.”
Dov Hikind, a former member of the New York State Assembly, chastised Omar in May for making blatantly anti-Semitic remarks throughout her time in the U.S. Congress.
The fiercely pro-Israel Hikind responded strongly to Omar’s portrayal of Israeli missile strikes in Gaza as an “act of terrorism,” amid heavy rocket fire from Palestinians into Israel.
“Israeli airstrikes killing civilians in Gaza is an act of terrorism,” According to The “squad” member and House Progressive Caucus whip on Twitter.
Omar continued, “Palestinians deserve protection. Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, don’t exist to protect Palestinian civilians.”
Israeli air strikes killing civilians in Gaza is an act of terrorism.
Palestinians deserve protection.
Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, don’t exist to protect Palestinian civilians.
It’s unconscionable to not condemn these attacks on the week of Eid. https://t.co/vWWQfMqBkT
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 10, 2021
Hikind responded with a video of an armed Israeli police officer fending off stone-throwing rioters who, according to The Times of Israel, were hitting a Jewish guy who had crashed his car after being targeted by the mob in Jerusalem on Monday.
A former lawmaker replied to Congresswoman Omar’s tweet,
“AND WHAT DO WE SEE IN THIS VIDEO, YOU DISINGENUOUS FAKER OF A ‘HUMANITARIAN’? HUH? A WALK IN THE PARK? OR A FREAKIN LYNCHING!!! WHY ARE YOU SILENT ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST JEWS?!?!?! IS THAT BECAUSE NO JEW IS INNOCENT FOR YOU?!?!”
One of the 100s of rockets that were just fired from Gaza toward Tel Aviv and central Israel exploded on a civilian bus.
Hamas’ intentions are clear: kill Israeli civilians.
We won’t stand by and let this happen. pic.twitter.com/aNsA3dlgMe
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 11, 2021
As the Israeli Defense Forces pointed out in a tweet, several Hamas rocket assaults targeted civilians.
Sources: Westernjournal.com (1), Westernjournal.com (2), Schneider.house.gov, omar.house.gov, timesofisrael.com.