Pressure is mounting on Democrats to do something about the growing anti-Semitism in their ranks – and it looks like their worst offender might finally face some accountability.
Democrats will introduce a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism on Wednesday in the wake of fresh anti-Jewish comments by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-NY), who is also facing calls for removal from the Foreign Affairs Committee from Republicans and a bevy of Jewish groups.
Accountability for Omar?
Omar’s anti-Semitism has been an awkward thorn in the side of Democrat party leadership for well over a month now. Party leaders who called on the freshman legislator to apologize for anti-Semitic tweets last month must have been displeased to find that their star Jew hater was getting into trouble again last week with yet more incendiary remarks.
Speaking at a bookstore in Washington, D.C., Omar accused Israel supporters of having double loyalties, a tired, medieval anti-Semitic canard that goes back to the days of when European Jews were killed for “poisoning the well.” Omar has defended her blunt anti-Semitism by arguing that she is making a policy critique of America’s relationship with Israel, but her language choices say otherwise:
I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country. I want to ask why is it OK for me to talk about the influence of the NRA, of fossil fuel industries, or big pharma, and not talk about a powerful lobbying movement that is influencing policy.
In the wake of those comments, Omar was called out by fellow Democrat Reps. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Eliot Engel (NY). Lowey blasted Omar’s “hurtful” rhetoric, while Engel, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee on which Omar sits, criticized her “vile anti-Semitic slur.” In response to her colleagues, Omar doubled down.
“I have not mischaracterized our relationship with Israel, I have questioned it and that has been clear from my end,” she tweeted. “I am told every day 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.”
Facing calls for demotion, discipline
The Anti-Defamation League called on Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) with a petition Monday to reject Omar’s hate, with ADL Chief Executive Jonathan Greenblatt lamenting allegedly Islamophobic attacks on Omar while calling her out for a “vile anti-Semitic slur” and demanding a House resolution to reject her comments. No fewer than 11 Jewish groups went further, petitioning Pelosi and Engel to take Omar off the Foreign Affairs Committee.
“In light of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s recent anti-Semitic tweets, statements, and address before Islamic Relief USA on Saturday, February 23rd, we, the undersigned organizations, request that you immediately remove her as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee,” the groups wrote.
The ADL’s letter came after Democrats began working on a measure to more formally discipline Omar with a resolution condemning anti-Semitism, which is set for a floor vote Wednesday. The latest draft circulated by the House does not name Omar, but does single out “the myth of dual loyalty, including allegations that Jews should be suspected of being disloyal neighbors or citizens.” The resolution was put together by staff for House Speaker Pelosi, Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Engel, Jerry Nadler (D-NY), and Ted Deutch (D-FL).
Critics note that the resolution fails to address Omar directly, and some are saying that further action is needed. Fox reported that there is some apprehension among Democrats about when and how to proceed with a resolution rebuking Omar, including whether to single her out by name.
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have joined Jewish groups seeking Omar’s ouster from the Foreign Affairs Committee. Republican critics say that Democrats – while calling for symbolic action against Omar – have so far failed to take more tangible measures and that Omar’s anti-Semitism has continued unabated, despite an apology last month for previous remarks, which many found unconvincing.
Omar and fellow Democrat Rashida Tlaib (MI), who has also been accused of anti-Semitism, are the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Rep. Omar provoked controversy in February with tweets invoking familiar anti-Semitic tropes about Jews and money when she accused the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) of buying the loyalty of American politicians.
The tweets prompted an unusual rebuke from Pelosi, and while Omar did quietly delete them, the Speaker’s admonition was apparently insufficient to prompt a lasting change in tone. But with criticism mounting, Omar may have a difficult time eluding accountability going forward.
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