Ilhan Omar Fires Back At Fellow Democrat: “I Should Not Be Expected To Have Allegiance To Israel”

Omar on Wednesday slammed “the political influence in this country that says it is okay to push for allegiance to a foreign country,” referring to Israel. Democratic New York Rep. Eliot Engel on Friday described Omar’s comment as a “vile anti-Semitic slur.”

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (2nd L) speaks as Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal (L) and Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders (R) listen during a news conference on prescription drugs on Jan. 10, 2019 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar claimed Sunday she is “expected to have allegiance” to Israel, in response to criticism from Democratic New York Rep. Nita Lowey, who claimed Omar “continues to mischaracterize support for Israel.”

Omar on Wednesday slammed “the political influence in this country that says it is okay to push for allegiance to a foreign country,” referring to Israel. Democratic New York Rep. Eliot Engel on Friday described Omar’s comment as a “vile anti-Semitic slur.”

Lowey also criticized Omar for her comments, which are the latest in a series of anti-Israel comments that have prompted accusations of anti-Semitism.

“Lawmakers must be able to debate [without] prejudice or bigotry. I am saddened that Rep. Omar continues to mischaracterize support for Israel,” Lowey wrote on Twitter Saturday afternoon. “I urge her to retract this statement and engage in further dialogue with the Jewish community on why these comments are so hurtful.”

“I have not mischaracterized our relationship with Israel, I have questioned it and that has been clear from my end,” Omar added. “I am told everyday 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.”

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Peter Hasson