text: House passes broad anti-hate resolution after pressure from Omar allies - AOL News
  Mar 7th 2019 6:10PM
  "I thought the resolution should enlarge the issue to anti-Semitism, anti-Islamophobia, anti-white supremacy, and that it should not mention her name, and that's what we're working on," said Pelosi. "Something that is one resolution addressing these forms of hatred not mentioning her name because it's not about her, it's about these forms of hatred."
  "I do think we have pushed very hard for this resolution to also include anything around Islamophobia. This is a member of Congress who is being subjected to deeply unfair, in my part, scrutiny around everything she says, at a different level than others," said Jayapal in an interview Wednesday, adding, "And so, we have been pushing, and we've been successful, I think, and I'm grateful to Speaker Pelosi for recognizing that we need to take all of this on."
  "What would be the appropriate level of punishment — a public flogging?" asked Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., after a heated meeting of the Democratic caucus Wednesday afternoon where the resolution was discussed. "We are all responsible for what we say, and there are consequences, whether it is this resolution or something else. But there is a double standard we have to be aware of. The level of condemnation on Ms. Omar has been really intense."
  Late Wednesday afternoon, a number of Democratic presidential hopefuls in the Senate spoke out in support of Omar while condemning bigotry.
  "Anti-Semitism is a hateful and dangerous ideology which must be vigorously opposed in the United States and around the world," said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is Jewish, in a statement. "We must not, however, equate anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the right-wing, Netanyahu government in Israel. Rather, we must develop an even-handed Middle East policy which brings Israelis and Palestinians together for a lasting peace. What I fear is going on in the House now is an effort to target Congresswoman Omar as a way of stifling that debate. That's wrong."
  Omar also received grassroots support, including from IfNotNow, an organization of young, progressive Jewish Americans who support ending Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.
  "This is a victory," said IfNotNow in a statement following the delay of the vote. "Grassroots pressure from Jews, Muslims and our allies challenged the outrageous double standard being applied to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and forced Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House Leadership to delay the vote on their outrageous anti-Semitism resolution."
  In February, Omar apologized for her comments about how the pro-Israel lobby uses money to advance its issues.
  "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," said Omar, adding, "I unequivocally apologize."
  But she did not retract or apologize for her statement implying that supporters of Israel had "allegiance to a foreign country."
  "Our democracy is built on debate, Congresswoman!" wrote Omar in response to Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y. "I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee. The people of the 5th elected me to serve their interest. I am sure we agree on that! I have not mischaracterized our relationship with Israel, I have questioned it and that has been clear from my end. I am told every day that I am anti-American if I am not pro-Israel. I find that to be problematic and I am not alone. I just happen to be willing to speak up on it and open myself to attacks."
  "I do not believe that she understood the full weight of the words," said Pelosi when asked about Omar's refusal to apologize, adding, "I feel confident that her words were not anti-Semitic but that she didn't have a full appreciation of how the words landed on other people where these words have a history and a cultural impact that may have been unknown to her."
  Omar's backers note she did not mention Jews specifically. Historically, Jews, who until 1948 were a religious minority in every country where they lived, have been suspected of disloyalty, and the victims of persecution as a result. Jewish Americans have traditionally been strong supporters of Israel, although today evangelical Christians are much more vocal in their backing. Many progressive Jewish groups have denounced the treatment of Palestinians by the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
  Republicans have attempted to use the resolution as a wedge issue, as President Trump has repeatedly called for Omar to be stripped of her position on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and to resign completely from Congress. "It is shameful that House Democrats won't take a stronger stand against anti-Semitism in their conference," said Trump, whose anti-refugee rhetoric was seen as partial inspiration for a gunman who killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue last October. "Anti-Semitism has fueled atrocities throughout history, and it's inconceivable they will not act to condemn it!"
  It is unclear if Omar will face any further reprimand for her comments. Rep. Elliot Engel, D-N.Y., was one of the members pushing for the resolution, but he said Tuesday he would not remove the freshman congresswoman from her position on the Foreign Affairs Committee, which he chairs.