Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders back Ilhan Omar amid anti-Semitism uproar
By – The Washington Times – Updated: 10:04 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Three top Democratic presidential contenders came Wednesday to the defense of , the first-term congresswoman who sparked an uproar over anti-Semitism that has the House Democratic leadership reeling.
In separate statements, Sens. of California, of Vermont, and of Massachusetts warned against confusing legitimate criticism of with anti-Semitism.
"We all have a responsibility to speak out against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, racism, and all forms of hatred and bigotry, especially as we see a spike in hate crimes in America," said . "But like some of my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, I am concerned that the spotlight being put on may put her at risk."
has resisted calls for her to apologize for blasting those who pledge "allegiance to a foreign country," referring to , in what has been decried as an anti-Semitic trope about dual Jewish loyalty.
, who is Jewish, said he worried about a push to "target" .
"Anti-Semitism is a hateful and dangerous ideology, which must be vigorously opposed in the United States and around the world," said. "We must not, however, equate anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the right-wing, Netanyahu government in . Rather, we must develop an evenhanded Middle East policy which brings Israelis and Palestinians together for a lasting peace."
He added, "What I fear is going on in the House now is an effort to target as a way of stifling that debate. That's wrong."
echoed those comments, concluding, "We should be having a sound, respectful discussion about policy. You can both support and be loyal to our country."
"I also believe there is a difference between criticism of policy or political leaders, and anti-Semitism," she said. "At the end of the day, we need a two-state solution and a commitment to peace, human rights, and democracy by all leaders in the region ― and a commitment by our country to help achieve that."
The Republican Jewish Coalition, which has called for to be removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, called 's statement "gutless" and disputed the implication that was engaged in a respectful foreign-policy discussion.
"She knows that the cause of this is Omar's anti-Semitism, not her criticism of ," tweeted the RJC. "And what is worse, she waters down the issue by mentioning hate against other groups. The issue here is 's anti-Jewish hate."
Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel asked, "Will any 2020 Democrat condemn this anti-Semite?"
What a gutless statement from . She knows that the cause of this is 's anti-Semitism, not her criticism of . And what is worse, she waters down the issue by mentioning hate against other groups. The issue here is 's anti-Jewish hate.
— RJC ()
New: speaks out against Ilhan Omar treatment. "What I fear is going on in the House now is an effort to target as a way of stifling that debate. That's wrong."
— Daniel Marans ()
Despite Democrat Ilhan Omar's repeated anti-Semitism, , , and are standing by her.
is actually attacking 's critics, saying they "put her at risk."
Will any 2020 Democrat condemn this anti-Semite?
— Ronna McDaniel ()
House Democratic leaders have struggled with how to handle the incident. Their initial plan to vote on a resolution condemning anti-Semitism—which did not mention by name—has reportedly fallen apart after pushback on the left.
At the same time, a dozen pro- Jewish groups have called for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to go further by removing from the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
In her statement, condemned threats of violence against . The FBI is investigating a message scrawled on a bathroom stall last month in Rogers, Minnesota, that said, "Assassinate Ilhan Omar."
"We have a moral duty to combat hateful ideologies in our own country and around the world―and that includes both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia," said . "In a democracy, we can and should have an open, respectful debate about the Middle East that focuses on policy. Branding criticism of as automatically anti-Semitic has a chilling effect on our public discourse and makes it harder to achieve a peaceful solution between Israelis and Palestinians. Threats of violence ― like those made against ― are never acceptable."
All three statements were posted on HuffPost and other news outlets.
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