Ilhan Omar’s Israel comments and the reaction to them

Rep. Ilhan Omar's comments about U.S.-Israel relations have drawn accusations of antisemitism. Today we discuss her comments and reactions to them, in government and beyond.

Air Date: March 8, 2019 10:00 am

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., sits with fellow Democrats on the House Education and Labor Committee during a bill markup, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Omar stirred controversy last week saying that Israel's supporters are pushing U.S. lawmakers to take a pledge of "allegiance to a foreign country." Omar is not apologizing for that remark, and progressives are supporting her. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Guests: Amanda Terkel, Peter Beinart, Deborah Lipstadt

Recent statements from freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar regarding U.S.-Israel relations have drawn condemnation from many lawmakers and American Jews alike. Her reference to the power of money within the Israel-advocacy groups and the accusations of “dual loyalty” have been called anti-Semitic. Others say that she is merely highlighting the power of the Israel lobby over American foreign policy. The Democratic party introduced a resolution to the House that officially condemning hate – a thinly veiled response to the statements made by Rep. Omar who voted for the resolution. Now, the Democratic leadership party is struggling to reconcile each faction within its ranks. HuffPost’s AMANDA TERKEL will give us the latest on the reaction to Omar’s comments in the government. Then, political commentator PETER BEINART and DEBORAH LIPSTADT, professor of Holocaust Studies at Emory University, will give us their thoughts on what Omar said, and the conflation of criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.