Muslim congresswoman Omar apologizes after Democratic leaders criticize her for 'anti-Semitic comments'

Posted By: Staff
February 11, 2019 @ 3:34 pm
ABC Politics

Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call

Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call(WASHINGTON) — In an extraordinary rebuke, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House Democratic leaders on Monday called on Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, one of the first Muslim members of Congress, to apologize for comments she made on Twitter that they called “anti-Semitic.”

“Anti-Semitism must be called out, confronted and condemned whenever it is encountered, without exception,” Pelosi said in a statement, joined by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján, Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries and Caucus Vice Chair Katherine Clark.

“We are and will always be strong supporters of Israel in Congress because we understand that our support is based on shared values and strategic interests. Legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies is protected by the values of free speech and democratic debate that the United States and Israel share,” the statement continued.

“But Congresswoman Omar’s use of anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations about Israel’s supporters is deeply offensive. We condemn these remarks and we call upon Congresswoman Omar to immediately apologize for these hurtful comments,” they said. “As Democrats and as Americans, the entire Congress must be fully engaged in denouncing and rejecting all forms of hatred, racism, prejudice and discrimination wherever they are encountered,” the statement reads.

Pelosi also tweeted that she had spoken with Omar, saying “Congresswoman Omar and I agreed that we must use this moment to move forward as we reject anti-Semitism in all forms.”

In our conversation today, Congresswoman Omar and I agreed that we must use this moment to move forward as we reject anti-Semitism in all forms. https://t.co/UpZA3DNgQs pic.twitter.com/1Z6rH65e3M

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 11, 2019

Shortly afterward, Omar tweeted, in part, that “My intention is never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole. We have to always be willing to step back and think about criticism, just as I expect people to hear me when others attack me for my identity. That is why I unequivocally apologize.”