Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) responded to former President Donald Trump’s criticism of Jews in the United States with a now-familiar response.
Omar used the same kind of terminology that had been used against her years before in reaction to problematic remarks she made about Jewish people in an interview that aired hours after Trump’s Truth Social post.
In doing so, she criticized the “hypocrisy of the Republicans,” claiming that, unlike with her, they haven’t been quick to rebuke Trump.
Has a single Republican denounced Trump threatening American… Jewish Americans? pic.twitter.com/gJIinnKsYR
— Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) October 16, 2022
Backhanded Apology
Omar told MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan that former President Trump repeatedly employs dual loyalty stereotypes that are hurtful and dangerous. She also stated anti-Semitism is on the upswing and all of us have an obligation to denounce it.
It was in February 2019 that Omar, then a first-term congresswoman, tweeted a series of criticisms of the pro-Israel lobby, including the phrase “It’s all about the Benjamins, baby!”
This prompted backlash from those who saw her statements as anti-Semitic, with Democratic leaders condemning Omar’s “use of anti-Semitic tropes and biased claims about Israel’s supporters,” and Republicans, including Trump himself, calling for Omar to quit.
Soon after, Omar issued a message in which she admitted that “anti-Semitism is real” and expressed gratitude to her Jewish supporters and coworkers for educating her on the heinous history of anti-Semitic stereotypes.
Then, she backtracked on her “unequivocal apologies,” saying instead, “I apologized for the way that my remarks made people feel.”
As the first Muslim women member of Congress, Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) faced criticism for their outspoken backing of the BDS movement, which seeks to punish Israel financially for its treatment of the Palestinians.
Trump’s Post
On Sunday, Trump made a post on Truth Social in which he attacked American Jews for their supposed lack of support for Israel. According to him, no president has done more to support Israel.
We don't need the former president, who curries favor with extremists and antisemites, to lecture us about the US-Israel relationship. It is not about a quid pro quo; it rests on shared values and security interests. This "Jewsplaining" is insulting and disgusting. pic.twitter.com/5XihxQGmLT
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) October 16, 2022
Jonathan Greenblatt, the Anti-Defamation League’s president, was among many who criticized Trump for the position.
He tweeted that they do not need the former president, who “curries favor with extremists and antisemites,” to give them advice on how to handle the US-Israel relationship.
He elaborated by saying that the partnership is based not on the exchange of favors, but on common principles and the protection of mutual interests. Saying that this “Jewsplaining” is repulsive and offensive.
Do you agree with Trump? Or do you think Omar’s criticism is just?
Many critics have called for high-profile Republicans to denounce and disavow the rhetoric from the former president. This commentary comes as rap star Kanye West has also taken heat for his own anti-Semitic talking points.
Time will tell what all else comes from this. Though it certainly has the internet talking.
This article appeared in NewsHouse and has been published here with permission.
