Jewish advocacy group calls on Omar to apologize after ‘stunningly anti-Semitic’ tweet

A major Jewish advocacy organization on Sunday called on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) to apologize for suggesting that a pro-Israel lobbying group was buying off lawmakers, calling her tweet “stunningly anti-Semitic.”

“@IlhanMN, Suggesting that a Jewish organization is buying off American politicians is both demonstrably false and stunningly anti-Semitic,” the American Jewish Committee (AJC) tweeted, while linking to a poll from last year showing strong support for Israel among American voters.

{mosads}”American politicians are pro-Israel because Americans are. Apologize.” 

.@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 (https://t.co/QMr1oCcnHX). Apologize. pic.twitter.com/VdJh0W8sx1

— AJC (@AJCGlobal) February 10, 2019

AJC included a screenshot of a tweet from Omar where she responded to a question about who she “thinks is paying American politicians to be pro-Israel” by saying “AIPAC!” Her tweet was in reference to the major pro-Israel lobbying group.

AIPAC! https://t.co/UdzaFUEfrh

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 10, 2019

Omar had earlier Sunday retweeted journalist Glenn Greenwald responding to a story about Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) promising “action” toward the Minnesota lawmaker and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) over their alleged anti-Semitism. She captioned that retweet with a message: “It’s all about the Benjamins baby,” referring to money.

It’s all about the Benjamins baby https://t.co/KatcXJnZLV

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 10, 2019

The tweets drew immediate criticism from Twitter followers across the political spectrum, who pointed to the long anti-Semitic tradition of portraying Jews as controlling politicians and other powerful figures through money. 

Omar’s office initially responded to The Hill’s request for comment about the “Benjamins” tweet by referring to her AIPAC tweet. When asked about AJC‘s statement, Omar’s office directed The Hill to a response from the member of Congress to Chelsea Clinton. 

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. https://t.co/EGA9NQfBCi

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 10, 2019

Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) also called out Omar for her Sunday tweets.

“Wow. A sitting U.S. Congresswoman actually just suggested AIPAC is paying Members of Congress to support Israel, one of our strongest and longest standing allies,” he wrote. “This level of anti-Semitism coming from the left is truly stunning and must be denounced.”

Wow. A sitting U.S. Congresswoman actually just suggested AIPAC is paying Members of Congress to support Israel, one of our strongest and longest standing allies.

This level of anti-Semitism coming from the left is truly stunning and must be denounced. https://t.co/VSWixEi8ep

— Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) February 10, 2019

Omar, as a well as Tlaib, have been criticized by Republicans for their support of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, which condemns Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

McCarthy said the Democratic congresswomen’s comments were “more so” reprehensible than the comments made by embattled Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) earlier this year.

GOP leadership stripped King of his committee assignments after he questioned when the terms “white nationalist” and “white supremacist” became offensive during an interview with The New York Times.

Both have maintained that their support of BDS is not anti-Semitic.