Pelosi Cowers, Dodges Question on Ilhan Omar's Anti-Semitism
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is one of the most seasoned politicians in Washington, but it does not take someone with an Ivy League diploma to see right through her when she dodges a question.
When Pelosi was asked by a reporter about questionable comments made by Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar regarding Jewish people earlier this week, she quickly deflected.
“Earlier this week Congresswoman Ilhan Omar …” the reporter started.
“Let’s stay with this and I’ll answer that afterward,” the speaker quickly interjected.
Nancy Pelosi deflects on question by reporter regarding Ilhan Omar’s antisemitic statements. pic.twitter.com/n5dhrUbovk
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 1, 2021
But who can blame Pelosi, as I would imagine it would be incredibly difficult to confront anti-Semitism in her own party.
Omar has repeatedly made comments that could be seen as promoting Jewish stereotypes, usually when criticizing the nation of Israel.
Her latest controversy involves her comments at a panel with fellow Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib about the Israel-Palestine conflict.
“But it’s almost as if, every single time we say something regardless of what it is we say that is supposed to be about foreign policy or engagement or advocacy about ending oppression or the freeing of every human life and wanting dignity, we get to be labeled something, and that ends the discussion,” Omar said, according to Vox.
“Because we end up defending that and nobody ever gets to have the broader debate of what is happening with Palestine. So for me, I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is okay for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country. And I want to ask, why is it okay for me to talk about the influence of the NRA, of fossil fuel industries, or Big Pharma, and not talk about a powerful lobby?”
This could easily have been interpreted as pushing the “dual loyalty” trope that American Jews are split between their allegiance to the United States and Israel.
In addition, Omar recently put the United States and Israel on the same level as terrorist organizations during a foreign affairs committee hearing with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“We must have the same level of accountability and justice for all victims of crimes against humanity. We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban,” she tweeted. “I asked @SecBlinken where people are supposed to go for justice.”
We must have the same level of accountability and justice for all victims of crimes against humanity.
We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban.
I asked @SecBlinken where people are supposed to go for justice. pic.twitter.com/tUtxW5cIow
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) June 7, 2021
Of course, even then Omar still shamelessly stood by her comments despite backlash from fellow Democrats.
When asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper if she “regrets their comments”, she smugly replied, “I don’t.”
She then doubled down by hinting that her Israel supporting colleagues are “not partners in justice.”
Democrat Ilhan Omar has continued her anti-Semitic language and has no regrets because neither Pelosi nor Dem leadership will hold her accountable.
Ilhan Omar tells Jake Tapper that Jewish House members who criticized her hateful anti-Semitic rhetoric “haven’t been partners in justice.” Tapper just sits there with a dumb look on his face. pic.twitter.com/yAeAhmqlQb
— Arthur Schwartz (@ArthurSchwartz) June 29, 2021
Pelosi has a responsibility to keep her caucus somewhat united, so it is no surprise that she would want to publicly avoid criticizing Omar for her reckless and insensitive behavior.
Making a clear distinction between the Israeli government and Jewish people globally is becoming increasingly difficult for many leftists, and leaders need to be more careful with their language regarding these issues.
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