WASHINGTON — The American Jewish Committee said Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) tweet about the American Israel Public Affairs Committee was “stunningly anti-Semitic,” and Chelsea Clinton also slammed the “anti-Semitic language and tropes.”
Omar initially responded “It’s all about the Benjamins baby” to a tweet about House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) seeking action against her and Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s (D-Mich.) anti-Israel statements.
Batya Ungar-Sargon, opinion editor at The Forward, tweeted in response, “Would love to know who @IlhanMN thinks is paying American politicians to be pro-Israel, though I think I can guess. Bad form, Congresswoman. That’s the second anti-Semitic trope you’ve tweeted.”
Citing the tweet, Omar replied, “AIPAC!”
The AJC tweeted at the congresswoman, “@IlhanMN, Suggesting that a Jewish organization is buying off American politicians is both demonstrably false and stunningly anti-Semitic. American politicians are pro-Israel because Americans are (http://bit.ly/2SES7DG ). Apologize.”
“We are proud that we are engaged in the democratic process to strengthen the US-Israel relationship,” tweeted AIPAC. “Our bipartisan efforts are reflective of American values and interests. We will not be deterred in any way by ill-informed and illegitimate attacks on this important work.”
And Chelsea Clinton tweeted in response to Omar, “We should expect all elected officials, regardless of party, and all public figures to not traffic in anti-Semitism.”
“We have to call out anti-Semitic language and tropes on all sides, particularly in our elected officials and particularly now,” Clinton added.
“Chelsea – I would be happy to talk. We must call out smears from the GOP and their allies. And I believe we can do that without criticizing people for their faith,” Omar tweeted at the former first daughter. “I look forward to building an inclusive movement for justice with you.”
Rep. Max Rose (D-N.Y.), a freshman like Omar, said that “when someone uses hateful and offensive tropes and words against people of any faith, I will not be silent.”
“Congresswoman Omar’s statements are deeply hurtful to Jews, including myself,” he said. “Implying that Americans support Israel because of money alone is offensive enough. But to go a step further, and retweet someone declaring their pain at her sentiment is simply unacceptable.”
“At a time when anti-Semitic attacks are on the rise, our leaders should not be invoking hurtful stereotypes and caricatures of Jewish people to dismiss those who support Israel,” Rose added. “In the Democratic Party — and in the United States of America — we celebrate a diversity of our people, and the Gods we pray to, as a strength. The congresswoman’s statements do not live up to that cherished ideal.”
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