Share

Top Dem Torches Ilhan Omar: ‘I Stand with Israel, Proudly and Unapologetically’

Share

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer defended America’s close relationship with Israel on Sunday in what was also a thinly veiled rebuke of Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has faced widespread criticism for her repeated anti-Semitic statements.

“I am an American who believes passionately in the idea of Israel, in the state of Israel, and in the essential right of Jews to have a place of sanctuary in their homeland after millennia of hatred, prejudice, exclusion, dehumanization, and attempted annihilation,” Hoyer said during a speech at American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s 2019 conference.

“The state of Israel, founded upon that profound and transcendent premise, must never be allowed to fail.”

Hoyer, the second-ranking Democrat in the House, explained that he is not Jewish and neither are the majority of the constituents in his Maryland district, but that he has traveled to Israel multiple times and witnessed firsthand “the courage of its people and their enduring spirit to make their country flourish.”

“I stand with Israel, proudly and unapologetically. So, when someone accuses American supporters of Israel of dual loyalty, I say: Accuse me,” Hoyer continued.

Trending:
Hillary Clinton Jumps Into Trump 'Bloodbath' Frenzy with a Question, Doesn't Want to Hear the Answers

“I am part of a large, bipartisan coalition in Congress supporting Israel. I tell Israel’s detractors: accuse us.

“And millions of Americans, regardless of race or faith or partisan label, stand with Israel because they understand why our relationship with Israel is so important. Accuse us all!”

Hoyer’s statements come less than a month after Omar accused Jews of having a “dual loyalty” to the U.S. and Israel, an ages old anti-Semitic canard.

The Muslim congresswoman faced massive backlash from both sides of the aisle including from Democratic leadership.

Do you think the Democratic Party is becoming more anti-Semitic?

Days later, the House of Representatives passed an anti-hate resolution that was intended as a reprimand for the congresswoman’s anti-Semitic comments.

Hoyer also took aim the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to punish Israel by economically depriving the country for its alleged mistreatment of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

The Anti-Defamation League describes the movement as “the most prominent effort to undermine Israel’s existence.”

“When the curtain is pulled back, everyone can see what that movement truly is: a front for delegitimizing the Jewish people’s right to self-determination,” Hoyer said, further noting Omar Barghouti, the founder and leader of the BDS movement, stated that “Jews are not a people.” (RELATED: Ilhan Omar Played On Her Phone, Laughed As House Voted On Resolution Sparked By Her Anti-Semitic Comments, Report)

Omar’s time in congressional office has been embroiled in allegations of anti-Semitism.

Related:
AOC and 'Squad' Dems Melt Down After CNN Panelist Accuses Ilhan Omar of Hamas Connection

She has defended her anti-Israel statements, such as ones invoking Allah to expose Israel’s “evil doings,” and she is on record stating that Israel is not a democracy.

She also gave an interview to a host that referred to Israel as the “Jewish ISIS” and mocked how Americans speak about al-Qaeda and Hezbollah.

Interestingly, Omar waited until after she won her congressional election to reveal her support BDS.

“Democracy only works when citizens are educated and informed. As advocates for truth, we here in this room must educate and inform our fellow Americans about what BDS really aims to do: destroy a partner democracy and one of America’s most faithful allies,” Hoyer continued. “Together, we will defeat BDS.”

“We proudly stand with Israel,” Hoyer he concluded. “Accuse us.”

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org. A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , , ,
Share
Founded by Tucker Carlson, a 25-year veteran of print and broadcast media, and Neil Patel, former chief policy adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney, The Daily Caller News Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing original investigative reporting from a team of professional reporters that operates for the public benefit. Photo credit: @DailyCaller on Twitter




Conversation