When 37-year-old Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) tweeted Feb. 10, it’s all about the Benjamins baby,” it caused an anti-Semitic uproar in Congress, prompting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to ask Omar to apologize. Benjamins refer to Benjamin Franklin on the $100 bill, something Omar suggested the American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee [AIPAC] pays off members of Congress. “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 apologize for these hurtful comments,” Pelosi said Feb. 10. Omar reluctantly apologized but mirrored the sentiments of 85-year-old Chicago-based Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, whose use of anti-Semitic tropes are a regular part of his liturgy on the pulpit for his entire long career.
Pelosi has an ongoing problem with Omar who’s, once again, got herself into more hot water for making more anti-Semitic remarks. Omar’s anti-Semitism is so ingrained coming from Somalia and the Muslim community, she’s blind to the U.S. strategic importance of Israel in the Middle East. Pretending to champion the Palestinian cause, Omar forgets that Palestinians danced in the streets of Gaza City after Sept. 11. Saying she should not “have allegiance to a foreign country,” Omar stepped in it again, letting her anti-Semitism leak out. No U.S. citizen, in Congress or not, pledges allegiance to any flag other than the U.S. “I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push allegiance to a foreign country,” Omar said, showing more anti-Semitism. No member of Congress or U.S. citizen pledges allegiance to Israel or any other foreign government.
Whatever Pelosi does to admonish Omar, she can’t control her anti-Semitic propensities, because they’re so automatic. She can’t recognize how utterly anti-Semitic it is to suggest that American’s of Jewish religious background have loyalty to Israel. Americans of Jewish heritage have been an integral part of the United Stated from Colonial Days. Omar apparently can’t separate out her hatred toward Jews and Israel from her sympathies toward Arab groups like Palestinians. She certainly can’t stomach that Israel is a seamless ally of the U.S., with the military moving passport free to Israeli ports and bases. “I am saddened that Rep. Omar continues to mischaracterize support for Israel,” said Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) on Twiter. “I urge her to retract this statement and engage in further dialogue with the Jewish community on why these comments are so hurtful.”
Omar sees her dissenting voice as a constructive part of the dialogue, she has no problem using anti-Semitic tropes like the “Benjamins.” “Our democracy is built on debate. Congresswoman! I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support for a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee,” Omar told Lowey. Omar can’t see that claiming any American, Jewish or otherwise, pledges allegiance to a foreign power in preposterous. No one who backs Israel as a strategic U.S. ally pledges allegiance to a foreign state. Omar’s hatred toward Israel is so extreme she can’t see how she’s impugning Americans of Jewish descent, suggesting they have divided loyalty toward the U.S. “I have not mischaracterized our relationship with Israel, I have questioned it and this has been clear from my end,” continuing to deny her anti-Semitic stereotypes.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) defended Omar for suggesting that Americans of Jewish heritage pledge “allegiance to a foreign country.” Ocasio-Cortez can’t fathom why the House would condemn Omar for her statements about Americans of Jewish ancestry. “No one seeks this level of reprimand when member make statements about Latinos and other communities,” said Ocasio-Cortez. Omar can’t see that her hatred toward Israel doesn’t pass unnoticed, leaving her explaining herself when her bias is clear. “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,” Omar said, trying to explain her opposition to AIPAC and other pro-Israeli lobbying groups. Omar doesn’t see that Israel is the U.S.’s closest ally in the volatile Middle East, often sharing vital military intelligence to protect U.S. national security.
Congress has a real problem on its hands reining in Omar and Ocasio-Cortez, both acting defiantly about pro-Israel lobbying groups. Instead of accusing Americans of Jewish heritage of having divided loyalty, Omar should get some sensitivity training, much the same way whites have tried to understand the African American experience, especially when it comes to criminal justice reform. “Thorough-out history, Jews have been accused of dual loyalty, leading to discrimination and violence, which is why these accusations are so hurtful,” said Lowey. No one denies Omar’s right to criticize any lobbying group or government. Saying that American citizens take the “Benjamins” and have divided loyalty could not be more insulting and anti-Semitic. Omar hasn’t come to grips with her deeply ingrained hatred of Israel, spewing anti-Semitic tropes under the phony pretence of legitimate debate.
