Rep. Ilhan Omar Gets in Twitter Spat With Fellow Dem Over Israel Remarks
Rep. Ilhan Omar has been under fire for her comments about Israel.
Yet, that didn’t stop her from engaging in a public Twitter spat with her fellow Democrat over the weekend where she tackled the topic straight on.
It started after Rep. Nita Lowey called on Omar — via Twitter — to retract recent comments she made about Israel support.
“Lawmakers must be able to debate w/o prejudice or bigotry,” Lowey wrote. “I am saddened that Rep. Omar continues to mischaracterize support for Israel. I urge her to retract this statement and engage in further dialogue with the Jewish community on why these comments are so hurtful.”
In response, Omar wrote this: “I have not mischaracterized our relationship with Israel, I have questioned it and that has been clear from my end.”
She added: “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!”
Lowey replied by explaining why Omar’s remarks are so hurtful: “No member of Congress is asked to swear allegiance to another country. Throughout history, Jews have been accused of dual loyalty, leading to discrimination and violence, which is why these accusations are so hurtful.”
Lowey added: “I believe we can debate important policy without using offensive, painful stereotypes.”
This week, Omar sparked controversy when she suggested Israel demands “allegiance” from lawmakers during an event in Washington, DC.
“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,” she said.
House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Eliot Engel has called on Omar to apologize for those comments which he characterized as a “vile, anti-Semitic slur.”
AIPAC also responded to Omar’s comments, writing: “The charge of dual loyalty not only raises the ominous specter of classic anti-Semitism, but it is also deeply insulting to the millions upon millions of patriotic Americans, Jewish and non-Jewish, who stand by our democratic ally, Israel.”
Omar has responded by saying being against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the occupation is not the same as being anti-Semitic.
[image via Getty Images]
