Sanders, Harris, Warren Defend Ilhan Omar Amid Controversy Over Israel Comments
By Caroline Kelly and Gregory Krieg, CNN
emocratic
presidential candidates Sens. Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and
Elizabeth Warren on Wednesday defended Rep. Ilhan Omar against the
backlash to her comments slamming pro-Israel groups and politicians,
which have been called anti-Semitic.
Sanders, who is Jewish, said criticism of Omar and
efforts to get her taken off the House Foreign Affairs Committee,
primarily from House Republicans, are aimed at stopping a discussion
about American’s foreign policy toward Israel.
“What I fear is going on in the House now is an effort
to target Congresswoman Omar as a way of stifling that debate,” the
Vermont independent said in a statement. “That’s wrong.”
In her own statement, Harris called out all instances
of bigotry and expressed concern that the focus on Omar “may put her at
risk.”
“We all have a responsibility to speak out against
anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, racism, and all
forms of hatred and bigotry, especially as we see a spike in hate crimes
in America,” the California Democrat said.
“But like some of my colleagues in the Congressional
Black Caucus, I am concerned that the spotlight being put on
Congresswoman Omar may put her at risk,” she added. “We should be having
a sound, respectful discussion about policy. You can both support
Israel and be loyal to our country. I also believe there is a difference
between criticism of policy or political leaders, and anti-Semitism. At
the end of the day, we need a two-state solution and a commitment to
peace, human rights, and democracy by all leaders in the region — and a
commitment by our country to help achieve that.”
Later Wednesday evening, Warren added herself to the list of candidates defending the freshman congresswoman.
“We have a moral duty to combat hateful ideologies in
our own country and around the world — and that includes both
anti-Semitism and Islamophobia,” the Massachusetts Democrat said in a
statement. “In a democracy, we can and should have an open, respectful
debate about the Middle East that focuses on policy. Branding criticism
of Israel as automatically anti-Semitic has a chilling effect on our
public discourse and makes it harder to achieve a peaceful solution
between Israelis and Palestinians. Threats of violence — like those made
against Rep. Omar — are never acceptable.”
Last month, Omar faced criticism for tweets insinuating
that the pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs
Committee was effectively buying off US politicians. The Minnesota
Democrat subsequently apologized after demands from Speaker Nancy Pelosi
of California, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland and other
members of House Democratic leadership, who urged that anti-Semitism be
called out “without exception.”
And last week at an event at a Washington bookstore,
Omar implied that pro-Israel lawmakers are under a “political influence
in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a
foreign country.” She argued that critics labeling her an anti-Semite
looked to silence a necessary conversation.
Sanders has been among the likely 2020 contenders most
willing to denounce the Israeli government over its treatment of the
Palestinians.
He also differentiated between promoting anti-Semitism and criticizing Israel as a state.
“Anti-Semitism is a hateful and dangerous ideology,
which must be vigorously opposed in the United States and around the
world,” Sanders said. “We must not, however, equate anti-Semitism with
legitimate criticism of the right-wing, Netanyahu government in Israel.
Rather, we must develop an evenhanded Middle East policy which brings
Israelis and Palestinians together for a lasting peace.”
The senators’ remarks come as House lawmakers prepare to vote this week on a resolution prompted by Omar’s comments that condemns anti-Semitism and was updated Tuesday to also condemn Islamophobia.
House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel said Tuesday that he does not want Omar removed from her seat on the committee because of her recent comments, despite previously calling for her to apologize in a fiery statement.
“I don’t throw names around,” the New York Democrat
responded when asked by CNN’s Erin Burnett whether Omar was an
anti-Semite. “I think the remarks she made have been very troubling.”
“You hope that people get elected to office and they grow,” he added.
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