Page 4 - ARUBA TODAY

A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 12 February 2019

Rep. Omar apologizes for tweets on AIPAC's influence

By LAURIE KELLMAN had overstepped. "There is an expectation of
WASHINGTON (AP) — Fresh- In a pair of tweets over leaders — particularly those
man Democratic Rep. Ilhan the weekend, Omar criti- with a demonstrated com-
Omar "unequivocally" apol- cized the American Israel mitment to the cause of
ogized Monday for tweets Public Affairs Committee, justice and equality — that
suggesting that members or AIPAC. "It's all about they would be extremely
of Congress support Israel the Benjamins baby," she careful not to tread into the
because they are being wrote, invoking slang about waters of anti-Semitism or
paid to do so, which drew $100 bills. any other form of prejudice
bipartisan criticism and a Asked on Twitter who she or hate," House Judiciary
rebuke from House Speak- thought was paying mem- Committee Chairman Jerr-
er Nancy Pelosi. bers of Congress to support old Nadler of New York said
The Minnesota Democrat Israel, Omar responded, in a statement. "Rep. Omar
said she had no intention "AIPAC!" failed that test of leader-
offending anyone, includ- That sparked Pelosi's first ship with these comments."
ing Jewish Americans. In this Feb. 5, 2019, photo, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., left, joined public rebuke of a fresh- Republicans called on
"We have to always be at right by Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., listens to President Don- man lawmaker who had Democrats to strip Omar of
ald Trump's State of the Union speech, at the Capitol in Wash-
willing to step back and ington. helped flip the House from her seat on the House For-
think through criticism, just Associated Press Republican control and is eign Relations Committee,
as I expect people to hear part of a record number of but Chairman Eliot Engel
me when others attack me Democrats of intense dif- are the first Muslim women women in Congress. stopped just short of that.
about my identity," Omar ferences in their ranks over to serve in Congress. Pelosi "Congresswoman Omar's He said in a statement that
tweeted. "This is why I un- the U.S.-Israeli relationship, and other Democrats, in- use of anti-Semitic tropes he expects his committee
equivocally apologize." highlighted by criticism cluding leaders and chair- and prejudicial accusa- members to discuss policies
The statement was the from Omar and Rep. Rashi- men, laid down a marker tions about Israel's sup- on merits. And though he
latest reckoning among da Tlaib of Michigan. They making clear that Omar porters is deeply offensive," did not name Omar, he left
Pelosi said in a statement little doubt that his state-
issued by her office and ment was a response to her
signed by other Demo- tweets.
cratic leaders after a bi- "It's shocking to hear a
partisan backlash against Member of Congress in-
the Minnesota Democrat. voke the anti-Semitic trope
"We condemn these re- of 'Jewish money,'" Engel
marks, and we call upon said.
Congresswoman Omar to AIPAC is a nonprofit orga-
immediately apologize for nization that works to influ-
these hurtful comments." ence U.S. policy toward
It also was a stark exposure Israel. While it is barred
of an increasingly tense split from directly donating to
among Democrats over candidates, it encourages
U.S.-Israeli policy ahead of its more than 100,000 mem-
the 2020 elections. None bers to do so and to be po-
of the Democratic presi- litically active.
dential hopefuls weighed One way the organization
in publicly as their party's has made a mark on Con-
House leaders chastised gress is through expense-
Omar. paid junkets to Israel, which
Omar's fellow freshmen felt are paid for by an affiliated
the strain. Some, such as nonprofit that does not
Jewish Reps. Elaine Luria have to disclose its donors.
of Virginia and Max Rose The popular weeklong ex-
of New York, explicitly de- cursions for members of
nounced her remarks. Rep. Congress, their families
Deb Haaland, D-N.M., said: and some senior staff can
"Anti-Semitism or xenopho- cost upward of $12,000 per
bia is never acceptable. person and are intended
I'm glad Rep. Omar has to "educate political lead-
apologized." ers and influencers about
Senior Democrats dealt the importance of the U.S.
the new lawmaker a swift - Israel relationship through
schooling. firsthand experiences."q