Ilhan Omar causes stir over forced ‘pledging to Israel’ comment – اخبار مجنونة

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Rep. Ilhan Omar is catching flak on Twitter yet again for suggesting that US politicians were being forced to “pledge allegiance” to Israel.

“It’s ‘Antisemitic Weekends with Omar,’” tweeted former New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind on Sunday night, just hours after the Minnesota Democrat fired off her latest insinuation.

“On this week’s episode, she’ll talk about Jewish power, money and dual loyalty!” Hikind added. “Next week: the apology. Rinse and repeat.”

Omar, 37, was responding to a tweet from New York congresswoman Nita Lowey when she made the alleged “anti-Semitic” comments on Sunday.

“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 tweeted.

Lowey had been calling the congresswoman out for comments that she reportedly made during a bookstore event last week — suggesting that pro-Israel groups were pushing lawmakers to “pledge allegiance to a foreign country.”

“Lawmakers must be able to debate w/o prejudice or bigotry,” Lowey tweeted on Saturday. “I am saddened that Rep. Omar continues to mischaracterize support for Israel. I urge her to retract this statement and engage in further dialogue with the Jewish community on why these comments are so hurtful.”

On Sunday afternoon, Omar fired back: “Our democracy is built on debate, Congresswoman! 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. The people of the 5th elected me to serve their interest. I am sure we agree on that!”

In response, Lowey insisted that “no member of Congress is asked to swear allegiance to another country.”

“Throughout history, Jews have been accused of dual loyalty, leading to discrimination and violence,” Lowey added. “Which is why these accusations are so hurtful.”

Omar’s comments are just the latest alleged example of anti-Semitic rhetoric to come from the Somali-born Muslim lawmaker.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle called her out last month after she claimed that the relationship between the United States and Israel was “all about the Benjamins.”

Omar — who also sparked outrage by once claiming that “Israel has hypnotized the world” — later issued an apology to Jewish groups.

“Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes,” she wrote on Twitter. “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 through criticism, just as I expect people to hear me when others attack me for my identity. This is why I unequivocally apologize.”



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