Rep. Ilhan Omar left and Rep. Eliot Engel
By Dan Murphy
Last month a swastika was discovered written on a chair in the Somers High School library. Last year, Westchester saw a number of hate symbols and swastikas found on local campuses and highway signage. All of the incidents were taken very seriously by local law enforcement and from anti hate groups including the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center.
So it was no surprise that the recent comments made by Congresswoman Rep. Ilhan Omar that were deemed anti-Semitic drew a quick response from two of Westchester’s long-serving members of Congress, Rep. Nita Lowey and Rep. Eliot Engel.
The controversy started when Omar said, “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,” referring to American support for Israel.
Omar then had to apologize for her tweets insinuating that the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) was effectively buying off American politicians.
Omar responded to a tweet by journalist Glenn Greenwald that read: “GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy threatens punishment for @IlhanMN and @RashidaTlaib over their criticisms of Israel. It’s stunning how much time US political leaders spend defending a foreign nation even if it means attacking free speech rights of Americans.”
Omar replied, “It’s all about the Benjamins baby,” followed by a musical notes emoji.
Batya Ungar-Sargon, the opinion editor of the Forward, replied, tweeting: “Would love to know who @IlhanMN thinks is paying American politicians to be pro-Israel, though I think I can guess. Bad form, Congresswoman. That’s the second anti-Semitic trope you’ve tweeted.”
Omar responded to the tweet with, “AIPAC!”
She later apologized after Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and other members of House Democratic leadership said anti-Semitism had to be called out “without exception.”
“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,” Omar tweeted. “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.”
In a statement last week, Engel said: “I welcome debate in Congress based on the merits of policy, but it’s unacceptable and deeply offensive to call into question the loyalty of fellow American citizens because of their political views, including support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. We all take the same oath. Worse, Rep. Omar’s comments leveled that charge by invoking a vile anti-Semitic slur.
“Her comments were outrageous and deeply hurtful, and I ask that she retract them, apologize, and commit to making her case on policy issues without resorting to attacks that have no place in the Foreign Affairs Committee or the House of Representatives,” continued Engel, who is chairman of the same Foreign Affairs Committee that Omar sits on. Engel added that he has no plans to remove Omar from the committee; that decision would likely come from Pelosi.
“I’m looking to get rid of anti-Semitism, not looking to punish anybody,” said Engel. “It’s very important that we keep our eye on the prize, and I think that whenever there is hatred being spewed, or again, racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, Islamophobia, I think we have to speak out.”
Lowey also responded to Omar’s comments, tweeting: “Lawmakers must be able to debate w/o prejudice or bigotry. “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.”
Lowey added that no lawmaker is forced to swear allegiance to another country, but that accusations of “dual loyalty” are dangerous. “No member of Congress is asked to swear allegiance to another country,” she tweeted. “Throughout history, Jews have been accused of dual loyalty, leading to discrimination and violence, which is why these accusations are so hurtful.”
NY Times columnist Tom Friedman, who was born and raised in the same Minnesota community that Omar represents and lives in, explained that the community is made up of a large Jewish population and an ever-growing Sudanese population, and that for Omar, it could have been the perfect opportunity to bring the two communities together.
“She is a brand new member of Congress,” wrote Friedman. “She is free to raise any issues she wants. And one issue she seems to have seized on is the alleged dual loyalty of Jews to America and Israel. I am not dual loyal. I always put America first, but I want to see Israel thrive – just like many Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, Indian-Americans and others feel about their ancestral homelands.
“Ilhan Omar represents, among other neighborhoods, a significant and liberal Jewish community – my hometown. I can tell you that a vast majority of Jews there would be proud if their congresswoman used her links to American Jews and Muslims to be a bridge builder for peace in the Middle East and America, not just another Aipac/Israel basher.”
Over the weekend, Westchester resident and former Westchester District Attorney Jeanine Pirro got into trouble on her Saturday night Fox television show over comments she made about Omar. More on that story next week.
