Gillibrand condemns Omar remarks, GOP ‘hypocrisy’

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on Thursday condemned remarks about Israel made by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), as well as Republican “hypocrisy” surrounding anti-Semitism. 

“Those with critical views of Israel, such as Congresswoman Omar, should be able to express their views without employing anti-Semitic tropes about money or influence,” Gillibrand said in a statement, according to HuffPost.

{mosads}”Just as those critical of Congresswoman Omar should not be using Islamophobic language and imagery that incites violence,” she added.

Gillibrand also took aim at what she called “hypocrisy of the Republican Party.”

“Many Republicans have taken offense to Congresswoman Omar’s remarks and condemned her in the harshest terms, but said little or nothing when President Trump defended white supremacists at Charlottesville or when Leader McCarthy promoted a conspiracy about Jewish donors buying elections,” she said. 

“Both are unacceptable,” she added. 

Omar’s latest controversy comes from remarks she made last week at a Washington restaurant and bookstore. 

“I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country,” she said.

She later tweeted, “I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee.”

Omar’s comments sparked outrage from Republicans and some Democrats, who said her comment invoked the anti-Semitic belief that Jews are more loyal to Israel than the U.S. 

Omar supporters, however, contend that she is facing undue scrutiny because she is Muslim.

Omar also recently faced criticism for tweeting that politicians’ support for Israel is “all about the Benjamins.” She later apologized for that tweet.  

The House is expected to vote on a resolution on Thursday that does not mention Omar by name, but condemns both anti-Semitism and “anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry against all minorities.”

Gillibrand, is running against many other senators including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) for the Democratic nomination for president. 

Harris, Warren and Sanders have all defended Omar.