Republicans in the United States House of Representatives passed a resolution Thursday to remove Democrat Ilhan Omar from House Foreign Affairs Committee over her criticism of Israel and her alleged history of antisemitic comments and tropes.
A former refugee from Somalia and one of two Muslim women in Congress, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar serves as Minnesota’s fifth congressional district representative and has been accused of antisemitism and anti-Israel bias on numerous occasions since being elected in 2019.
She has been a frequent critic of Israel, supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and denouncing Israel’s military campaigns in the occupied territories and its settlement policy.
In a 2012 tweet, before becoming an elected official, Rep. Omar said: “Israel has hypnotised the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel.”
She also famously hinted that American support for Israel was just about money, tweeting “It’s all about the Benjamins baby”, alluding to the $100 bill, to which she subsequently received widespread condemnation from colleagues.
In response to her removal, Rep. Omar accused Republicans of targeting her because of her background.
On the House floor on Thursday, she said: “There is this idea that you are a suspect if you are an immigrant or if you are from certain parts of the world or a certain skin tone or a Muslim.”
Later, she added: “There is an idea out there that I do not have objective decision making because of who I am, where I come from, and my perspective,
“I am an American,” she said to a standing ovation from her Democratic colleagues.
Representation matters.
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) February 2, 2023
We didn’t come to Congress to be silent.
We came to Congress to be a voice for families who are displaced in refugee camps and those seeking justice around the world.
Because that’s what this child survivor of war would have wanted. pic.twitter.com/BaLD5bZybV
Some of Rep. Omar’s Democrat colleagues rallied around her ahead of Thursday’s vote and made speeches on her behalf, accusing Republicans of bigotry.
In an impassioned, tearful speech on the House floor, Palestinian-American Democrat Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who herself has been accused of anti-Israel bias, said Republicans “are showing who they are” by condemning Ilhan Omar’s allegedly antisemitic remarks and blocking her from a seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee.
So desperate to distract the American people from their total inability to govern, the GOP is doing what it is best at—weaponizing hate against a Black, beautiful Muslim woman. @Ilhan, I am so sorry that our country is failing you today. pic.twitter.com/Fryz1V8y0B
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) February 2, 2023
Rep Tlaib said: “Congresswoman Omar, I am so sorry that our country is failing you today through this chamber. You belong on that committee.”
Rep. Omar and Rep. Tlaib are two members of the “Squad”, a group of Democratic Representatives, initially made up of four women, in the far left wing of the Democratic Party.
In August 2019, Israel blocked both women from visiting the country due to their past comments.
Democrat Rep. Ted Lieu tweeted that the Democrats would put Rep. Omar back on the Foreign Affairs Committee in two years once they flip the House.
Reps Greene and Gosar were removed for threatening workplace violence. Rep Ilhan Omar did no such thing. She has does a great job representing her constituents, who re-elected her. We will put her back on Foreign Affairs Committee in two years when we flip the House. Guaranteed. https://t.co/ANTuzTi05U
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 2, 2023
Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, also part of the “Squad”, accused the Republican Party of racism and inciting violence against women of colour.
She said: “One of the disgusting legacies after 9/11 has been the targeting and racism against Muslim Americans throughout the United States of America and this is an extension of that legacy.”
"I had a member of the Republican caucus threaten my life and the Republican caucus rewarded him with one of the most prestigious committee assignments in this Congress."
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) February 2, 2023
Watch Rep. AOC respond to Republicans' removal of Rep. @Ilhan Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/A22R7jQrlC
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dubbed the move a “political stunt” and a “disservice to the American people.”
The United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs is responsible for overseeing a broad mandate of foreign policy legislation, such as national security developments, war powers, foreign assistance and treaties, arms control, and international economic policy.
Following the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans won control of the House for the first time since January 2019, winning 222 seats out of the possible 435.
