
Ilhan Omar’s Israel comments are tone-deaf but not wrong.
SlateIn early 2015, as the Obama administration was deep into negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, Republican House Speaker John Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stridently opposed the deal, to address a joint session of Congress. Or does it signify an enduring rift in the fabric of this country?” I’ve found myself thinking about Netanyahu’s speech, and its troubling optics, again this week in light of the most recent fury over Rep. Ilhan Omar, who for the second time in a month has stumbled into a controversy over anti-Semitism and Israel. After telling the crowd that critics were accusing her of anti-Semitism in order to snuff out debate about Israel’s human rights record, she said, “I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country.” The problem, in this case, was the word allegiance, which went off like a skronky shofar once her comments hit the internet. Conservative supporters of Israel pounced on Omar’s comment—New York Times columnist Bret Stephens called it “blatantly anti-Semitic”—as did some liberals, such as New York magazine’s Jonathan Chait. As Batya Ungar-Sargon, opinion editor at the Forward, wrote in December: Texas’s anti-BDS bill doesn’t only impinge on the free speech rights of a U.S. citizen in a bizarre attempt to “stand with Israel;” it turns every potential contractor with the state of Texas into a literalization of the anti-Semitic canard of dual loyalty.
History of this topic

America’s Unconditional Support For Israel Is Bad For America, New Report Says
Huff Post
Ilhan Omar's foul-mouthed outburst at pro-Israel protester
Daily Mail
Ilhan Omar has just two words for pro-Israel protester who tells her 'Go to Gaza, sweetheart'
Daily Mail
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Benjamin Netanyahu labels Gaza war critics ‘Iran’s useful idiots’
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Israel-Hamas War: ’Israel is absolutely losing the PR war’, says Donald Trump, makes stand on Gaza ambiguous
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Most Americans disapprove of Israel’s actions in Gaza: Poll
Al Jazeera
FACT CHECK: Misleading video circulated, falsely portraying Trump criticising Israel | Here's the truth
India TV News
Ilhan Omar To Introduce Bill Blocking U.S. Weapons To Israel
Huff Post
War in the Middle East upends the dynamics of 2024 House Democratic primaries
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Israel-Gaza war: Biden support plummets to 17 percent among Arab Americans
Al Jazeera
Will unconditional US support for Israel harm its ties with the Arab world?
Al Jazeera
Biden walks a fine line between support for Israel and empathy for Palestinians
NPR
As Herzog visits US, advocates urge action against Israeli abuses
Al Jazeera
Ilhan Omar embarks on new path no longer defined by ‘firsts’
Associated Press
Nikki Haley’s Israel advocacy defined her tenure at UN: Advocates
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Israel prefers diplomacy on Iran but can act alone, says Bennett
Al Jazeera
Pelosi in Jerusalem: US support for Israel is ‘ironclad’
Associated Press
Pelosi in Jerusalem: US support for Israel is 'ironclad'
The Independent
Republicans Claim Rep. Ilhan Omar Never Apologized, But She Has
Huff Post
AIPAC accused of Islamophobia after attacks on Ilhan Omar
Al Jazeera
Ilhan Omar may face censure for words on Israeli war acts
Al Jazeera
Ilhan Omar hits back at ‘Islamophobic tropes’ by fellow Democrats
Al Jazeera
Rep. Omar says she wasn’t equating US, Israel and terrorists
Associated Press
No ‘provoking': Israeli official vows quieter tone with US
Associated Press
Israel supporter’s dramatic shift shocks establishment
Associated Press
Israel offers muted response to Donald Trump's 'American Jews voting for Democrats are disloyal’ remark
Firstpost
Trump: Any Jew voting Democratic is uninformed or disloyal
Associated Press
Ilhan Omar: Go to Israel, see ‘cruel reality of the occupation’
Al Jazeera
AP Analysis: Trump uses Israel to fuel partisan fires
Associated Press
Israel bans US Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from visiting its shores; move draws criticism from AIPAC, Democrats
Firstpost
Reps. Omar And Tlaib Barred From Visiting Israel After Trump Supports A Ban
NPR
Israel bans Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib hours after President Trump takes to Twitter
Salon
Amid outcry, US congresswomen slam Israel’s move to deny entry
Al Jazeera
Israel Blocks Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib From Visiting
NPR
Israel bars Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from entering country
CNN
AP FACT CHECK: Trump distorts Omar’s words on terrorism
Associated Press
Q&A: Rep. Ilhan Omar is a favorite Trump target. What’s going on?
LA Times
Boycott, resist, push back: Shifting Israel narratives in the US
Al Jazeera
Ilhan Omar Says Attacks On Her And Rashida Tlaib Are 'Designed To Silence' Muslim Voices
Huff Post
Trump launches fresh attack on Omar accusing her of 'U.S. HATE' and calling her ungrateful
Daily Mail
Donald Trump's 9/11 criticism of Muslim congresswoman Ilhan Omar draws Democrats' ire
ABC
Latest Attacks On Ilhan Omar Show That Anti-Muslim Hate Isn’t A Partisan Issue
Huff Post
Ilhan Omar accused of "Jihad against the Jews" in sticky note posted on Rashida Tlaib's office door
Salon
US officials vow support for Israel at AIPAC conference
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