Rep. Ilhan Omar has faced backlash for comments she made during a visit with anti-Israel demonstrators at Columbia University. She claimed that all Jewish students could be divided into two camps, “pro-genocide” or “anti-genocide.” The Anti-Defamation League accused her of “blood libel” for these remarks. Omar, along with Rep. Rashida Tlaib, is the first female Muslim American elected to the House of Representatives and has been a vocal critic of Israel.
After Israel retaliated against Hamas for an attack that killed an estimated 1,200 people, Omar referred to the conflict as a “genocide.” This led to further criticism of her views on Israel and Palestine. Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, rebuked Omar for her comments, calling them false and a blood libel. He demanded that she apologize, but did not expect her to do so. Omar cited an article about alleged discrimination against Palestinians and Arabs at universities to defend her remarks.
Omar has a history of controversial statements regarding Israel and has previously compared the US and Israel to the Taliban and Hamas. She recently voted against a military support package for Israel and humanitarian aid for Palestinians, further solidifying her stance on the conflict. During her visit to Columbia University, she praised anti-Israel protesters for their “bravery and courage.” Her daughter, Isra Hirsi, was suspended from Bernard College after being arrested for participating in protests. Despite this, Omar has voiced pride in her daughter’s actions.
The demonstrations at Columbia University have resulted in over 100 arrests, leading the Ivy League school to switch to hybrid learning for the remainder of the semester. House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik have called on Columbia University President Minouche Shafik to resign due to the chaos on campus. The situation has highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the differing opinions held by politicians, advocacy groups, and students.
