Omar responded to a tweet by Glenn Greenwald who had criticized House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for calling out the anti-Semitism of Omar and Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib proclaiming, "It's all about the Benjamins," - an obvious reference to $100 bills and the classic trope about Jews and money.
Batya Ungar-Sargon, the editorial page editor of the Jewish Daily Forward, replied: ‘Would love to know who Omar thinks is paying American politicians to be pro-Israel, though I think I can guess." Omar took the bait and tweeted, "AIPAC."
Enter Chelsea Clinton who tweeted, "Co-signed as an American. We should expect all elected officials, regardless of party, and all public figures to not traffic in anti-Semitism."
She subsequently tweeted that she would reach out to Omar's office and "call out anti-Semitic language and tropes on all sides, particularly in our elected officials and particularly now." To which Omar replied, "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. I look forward to building an inclusive movement for justice with you."
Of course, Omar displayed not a hint of contriteness and turned it back on "smears from the GOP and their allies." Some expressed concern that Clinton was letting Omar slide as demonstrated by conservative blogger Ashley Rae Goldenberg who tweeted:
Come on, @ChelseaClinton. You outright said there is a problem with antisemitism on both sides and @IlhanMN clearly said she only cares about what she can do to depict it as only a problem with the GOP. Are you going to hold her to what you said, about “all sides?”
Clinton replied, "Hi Ashley - I am looking forward to talking to the Congresswoman about the cancer of anti-Semitism in our country and why her comments trouble me and more."
Good for her. Granted, I don't think it will change Omar's mind one bit. But unlike Britain's Labour Party, prominent Democrats are speaking up about anti-Semitism when it comes from among their own ranks.
With that said, I do wish House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would sanction Omar for her behavior possibly including expelling her from the party's caucus or at the very minimum strip her of committee assignments.
Sooner or later, Pelosi will have to act because somehow I don't think this will be the last time Ilhan Omar tweets out her anti-Semitic beliefs.
Good for her. Granted, I don't think it will change Omar's mind one bit. But unlike Britain's Labour Party, prominent Democrats are speaking up about anti-Semitism when it comes from among their own ranks.
With that said, I do wish House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would sanction Omar for her behavior possibly including expelling her from the party's caucus or at the very minimum strip her of committee assignments.
Sooner or later, Pelosi will have to act because somehow I don't think this will be the last time Ilhan Omar tweets out her anti-Semitic beliefs.
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