Rep. Ilhan Omar is facing calls for censure again over comments suggesting some Jewish students support genocide.
During a visit to Columbia University, Omar noted she had just met Jewish students in an encampment, saying “we should not have to tolerate anti-Semitism or bigotry for all Jewish students, whether they’re pro-genocide or anti-genocide.”
“I think it is really unfortunate,” Omar said, “that people don’t care about the fact that all Jewish kids should be kept safe, and that we should not have to tolerate anti-Semitism or bigotry for all Jewish students, whether they’re pro-genocide or anti-genocide.”
Rep. Don Bacon took issue with this, saying it was wrong to talk about pro-genocide Jewish students. He is putting together a censure resolution in response.
“Talking about pro-genocide Jewish students is wrong,” Bacon said, noting that “folks can protest Israel, but don’t blame Jewish-American students for Israel. That is by definition anti-Semitism.”
Omar’s spokesperson said she clearly condemned anti-Semitism for all Jewish students.
Omar “clearly condemned antisemitism and bigotry for all Jewish students,” the spokesperson said, adding, “Attempts to misconstrue her words by drafting this baseless resolution are meant to distract.”
It would not be Omar’s first time facing censure over comments about Israel or other issues.
Several other Democrats were censured last year as well.
Omar sought to defend anti-Israel protesters at Columbia, while Rep. Anthony D’Esposito fired back at her comments.
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