Rep. Ilhan Omar 3-10-2019

10, March 2019                            Rep. Ilhan Omar

Rep. Ilhan Omar has been falsely singled out as the face of anti-Semitism to silence her growing voice on foreign policy issues, more especially our lopsided support for Israel which is committing unspeakable atrocities against the Palestinians. 

Let us remember Israel is not a democracy.  A true democracy ensures all its citizens, Jews, Christians and Palestinians enjoy equal rights. Let us also remember that the UN censured Israel for possible war crimes in Gaza gunning down killing and maiming men women and even children. Recently the far right Jewish Power party, embraced by Prime Minster Netanyahu, has gained a strong foothold in Israeli politics advocating for the expulsion of all non-Jews. It has been designated a terrorist group by the FBI.

Omar is right to question the massive stranglehold that lobbyists have on Congress — calling out the special interest groups that protect unquestioning U.S. alliances, from Israel to Saudi Arabia.

The AIPAC lobby uses enormous to pressure and intimidate members of Congress. Until now, these methods have largely accomplished their goal: an almost total and unconditional refusal in Congress to question Israel’s human rights violations against Palestinians or the $3.8 billion in military aid we give to Israel each year. Let us demand this money be diverted to lift poor Americans out of poverty and to rebuild communities severely impacted by climate change.