The Education of Ilhan Omar Democratic leaders rebuke their anti-Israel freshman colleague.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-education-of-ilhan-omar-11549930665?cx_testId=16&cx_testVariant=cx&cx_artPos=2&cx_tag=contextual&cx_navSource=newsReel#cxrecs_s
The Democratic Party’s support for Israel has been fraying for years, and some new Members of Congress seem willing to indulge in arguments that border on the anti-Semitic. So kudos to House Democratic leaders who slapped down one of their own, freshman Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, for her ugly comments.
“Legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies is protected by the values of free speech and democratic debate that the United States and Israel share,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House Democratic leaders in a joint statement on Monday. “But Congresswoman Omar’s use of anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations about Israel’s supporters is deeply offensive. We condemn these remarks and we call upon Congresswoman Omar to immediately apologize for these hurtful comments.”
The leaders are trying to put out a firestorm that erupted after Ms. Omar claimed on Twitter that her colleagues defend Israel for the money, writing, “It’s all about the Benjamins baby.” When asked who she thinks is “paying American politicians to be pro-Israel,” Ms. Omar named the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or Aipac, which doesn’t donate to political candidates, though it does urge U.S. support for Israel.
Republicans in the House had threatened to offer a resolution rebuking Ms. Omar, who was at first indignant but apologized after hearing from party leadership. “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,” Ms. Omar said, adding that “I reaffirm the problematic role of lobbyists in our politics, whether it be Aipac, the NRA or the fossil fuel industry.” While she’s learning about history, she should also read the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right of Americans to petition their government.
The rebuke from party leaders is especially important because anti-Israel sentiment is growing on the left. While 79% of Republicans sympathize more with Israel than the Palestinians, according to a Pew survey last year, the split among Democrats is 27% for Israel and 25% for the Palestinians.
In 2016 dozens of Black Lives Matter groups released a platform accusing Israel of “genocide” and “apartheid” and endorsing the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement. In 2017 the Democratic Socialists of America overwhelmingly endorsed BDS at its national conference, upon which the room erupted in chants of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” Two Democrats the socialist group has propelled to Congress, Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are also anti-Israel.
Ms. Omar says she “almost chuckles” when Israel is called a democracy, comparing its Jewishness to the state-enforced Islam of Saudi Arabia and Iran. Ms. Tlaib, who supports a one-state solution that would destroy Israel, argues that supporters of a pro-Israel, anti-BDS law “forgot what country they represent.”
Democrats risk losing moderates as well as part of their base if these sentiments begin to define their party’s view of Israel in the public mind. They’re wise to send a rebuke now.
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