Posted on 03/08/2019 5:29:37 AM PST by SJackson
This is the first time in recent memory that Congress has been so publicly divided on issues relating to American Jews and Israel.
The US Congress failed to agree on an antisemitism resolution on Wednesday in a debate that has now become fraught with controversy and has Israel at the center of it. The argument focuses on whether condemnations of antisemitism should be a broader condemnation of racism in general.
This is the first time in recent memory that Congress has been so publicly divided on issues relating to American Jews and Israel. The inability to agree on a resolution on antisemitism is symbolic of a larger debate taking place in America in which politics and communities are increasingly divided on both Jewish- and Israel-related issues. ADVERTISING Read More Related Articles
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Recommended by It is important now to take a step back and look at the larger picture. US-Israel relations are important and must not be eroded due to partisan politics. Every time that a discussion about Israel starts to become a bandwagon issue with members of one party, it inevitably pushes away allies across the aisle. This could be seen in Congress as what began as a consensus issue quickly eroded.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s election to Congress was an inspiring story of what makes the United States a unique country. An immigrant from Somalia, she reached the highest levels of power in her 30s and is sure to remain an important face in Washington for some time. However, she is also very critical of Israel. She is one of several younger and progressive members of Congress – including Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – who have entered the House of Representatives and tend to agree on a variety of issues. Tlaib is also deeply critical of Israel and is of Palestinian background, while Ocasio-Cortez tends to be less critical and has made efforts to reach out to progressive Jewish voices.
The questions surrounding these freshmen lawmakers is whether their stances and recent comments are antisemitic or merely harsh criticism of Israel.
Omar’s tweet in February, which appeared to connect support for AIPAC to financial influence, was seen as an antisemitic dog whistle. Later, she said last week that there is “political influence in this country that says it is okay to push for allegiance to a foreign country,” referring to Israel. The question of “allegiance” to Israel appeared to speak to dual loyalty.
Omar sought to shield herself and Tlaib from pushback by arguing that because they are Muslim they are unfairly targeted with false allegations of antisemitism.
Many of her colleagues were outraged about the “foreign allegiance” statement. Recommended videos Powered by AnyClip Dems prep anti-Semitism measure amid Omar uproar, March 6, 2019 (Reuters) Current Time 0:01 / Duration 1:48
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“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, which is why these accusations are so hurtful,” Congresswoman Nita Lowey tweeted in response.
Eliot Engel, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee of which Omar is a member, also criticized her comments. It is “unacceptable and deeply offensive to call into question the loyalty of fellow American citizens,” he said.
But there was pushback to these voices from left-leaning Jewish activists, and organizations such as J Street, IfNotNow and Open Hillel. Senators Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris also disagreed with efforts to condemn Omar while Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not provide a clear stance. Omar was painted as a victim by many progressives, who have pushed for a wider condemnation of all forms of hate.
Now critics of Israel are cheering. Not only was Omar vindicated, but it appears that accusing supporters of Israel of having “foreign allegiance” is considered more acceptable in Washington. This is a very disturbing development, not unlike what occurred in the UK’s Labour Party, where toxic antisemitism controversies have become all too normal.
The notion that antisemitism must always be lumped in with other forms of racism is a wrongheaded decision. Antisemitism is not only unique, but it is worthy of having clear redlines in order to highlight the code words and tropes that underpin it. This is especially true in light of the unprecedented rise in hate crimes directed at Jews.
Omar should have been an ally in fighting antisemitism, especially because many Jewish activists have fought against Islamophobia. Instead, she sadly has turned into a spreader of antisemitism.
She and the other Israel critics in Congress must learn to differentiate between genuine criticism about Israel’s policies and veiled or blatant antisemitism.
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She and the other Israel critics in Congress must learn to differentiate between genuine criticism about Israel’s policies and veiled or blatant antisemitism.
Even the Jerusalem Post doesn't recognize that the motivation here is the expression of antisemitism and politically Democrat's acceptance of the position. It has little to do with Israel, a convenient excuse. Omar comes from the Somali community in Minneapolis, the terrorist recruiting hub of the US. Even her fellow democrats acknowledge Jewhatred is common there, though they use it as an excuse. If Israel didn't exist, she'd still hate Jews.
Historically some of the most heinous anti Semitic actions are accompanied by documents and pronouncements loudly denying anti Semitism and contorted rationalizations. Communist anti Semitic policies are rife with such examples As were Western justifications for quotas and entry exclusions. Doubt this resolution fooled many people.
The Democrats are simply having a family debate about how many Jews they should kill. There are a few who want to kill them all. On the other side there are one or two who don’t want to kill any at all. Caught in the middle are the moderates. They are proposing a compromise saying how about we kill half of the Jews now and then wait and decide what to do with the other half later.
Democrats: We kill Jews - David Duke Proud!
They don’t get it. These leftist push the boundaries of what is acceptable to society. This is just another issue they are pushing the boundaries on. They are making it acceptable once again to make anti Semitic comments. Americans of Jewish decent, I ask you, ten years from now where do you think it’s going to be? I’ll bet its far beyond what has always been considered anti Semitic comments.
this will not end well for America.
the well has been polluted.
I will not have sympathy for Jewish anti-semitism concerns until they flip and start voting 90% against Democrats instead of for them.
So many Dem incumbents are Jews, disproportionate to their population percentage. I wonder what they are going to do, just go along like they did in the Holocaust when FDR sent the St. Louis back to Europe with all those Holocaust survivors on board?
Jews are the Dems volunteers, teachers unions organize the Dems get out the vote, Jewish national organizations and individual wealthy Jews are bundlers raising tons of Democrat money.
In all Jews don’t seem to be getting any Dem love for their
50 years of 80% support of the Dems. Only Blacks have given a higher percent of the vote. But Jews provide way more money than blacks. I would say Jews are not getting their money’s worth.
Time for Jews to assess their Dem support. Trump is the most pro Israel and pro Jew GOP history in history.
I hope Jews punish the Dems betrayal of Jewish support and Dem antisemitism
Well, wait a second. Are we to the point where *any* criticism of Israel is considered “anti-Semitism”?
If so, then that’s tremendously stupid. No country is, or should be, above criticism when it does bad or stupid things, and this includes Israel.
NO.
This is all a misunderstanding, and a HUGE misnomer as well.
THIS IS NOT “ANTI-SEMITISM”. These are simply GOOD OBSERVANT muslims, and their ilk following the tenants of their bleeping religion—AND NOTHING MORE.
Ever wonder what ever happened to all that $$$$$$ poured into the Mideast cesspool for oil over these many years? Well now it’s come back to our politics to bite us on the ass, bigtime.
Why now? Our midewestern “protestant churches” have schlepped in muslim hordes by the tens of thousands SINCE 9-11!! They are flown in in the middle of the night—so nobody notices.(They get about $2500 per head—plus perks) Check the demographics of the “rustbelt” if you don’t believe me.
WAY PASSED time to clean house—IMHO.
Just face it Democrats are prejudice. This is not their only prejudice. Their actions are more often detrimental than progressive. They work to suppress freedom not promote it. That is why they want to end the Constitution. Starting with the 2nd and first amendments.
WATCH: Linda Sarsour gives orders to Hamas-linked CAIR thugs who then block reporter from questioning Rep. Tlaib
Ditto that!
Anyone identifiably Jewish should be making plans to flee America. There is no limit to how many Muslims can invade America. There is no more refuge for Jews in America.
I only know one Jewish person and that is through my daughter. She, and her parents, are so left they’re commies. Screw them.
You've gotten right to the root of the problem.
Since Israel defines itself as a Jewish State, it's easy for people to throw around the claim of anti-Semitism when someone is critical of Israel. Being critical of Israel doesn't mean being critical of Jews no matter what the quick reaction anti-Semitism groups say.
In other words, she should be more subtly anti-Semitic.
Creepy Video Of Rashida Tlaib’s Speech At CAIR-Chicago Event: ‘We Always Said ‘The Muslims Are Coming’… I Think We’re Here!’
She said, “We’re not only everywhere in all kinds of different governments but, mashallah, we’re in the United States Congress.” (Mashallah means “what Allah wanted has happened.”)
The video above contains Tlaib’s full remarks.
The video in @AmyMek’s tweet below shows Tlaib’s introduction by Hassan Shibly, the Executive Director of CAIR-FL. “Allahu Akbar! The first Palestinian-American Congresswoman, our dear sister Rashida Tlaib!”
The video presents one of Shibly’s tweets from 2014. It says, “With God as my wittiness (sic), Israel & it’s supporters are enemies of God and humanity! How many more children must Israel kill 4 U 2 C?
I support Israel for the very simple reason that they are on the forefront in the battle against the satanic forces that control much of the middle east. It is sad to see that the U.S. congress can’t even stand up in a symbolic way to the forces supporting satan.
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