Analysis: Progressive Jews worry that criticism of Rep. Ilhan Omar will stifle debate about Israel
By Eugene Scott Eugene Scott Reporter covering identity politics for The Fix Email Bio Follow March 7 at 9:05 AM Rep. Ilhan Omar has drawn attention — and criticism — for her statements about Israel. Many people, including top lawmakers, have condemned Omar’s comments as anti-Semitic and called on her to apologize.
“It has never been more important to be able to distinguish between the critique — even the harshest critique — of a state’s policies and discrimination against a people ," she said. “Israel does not represent all Jews. Not all Jews support Israel. Speaking out for Palestinian human rights and their yearning for freedom is in no way related to anti-Semitism, though the Israeli government does its best to obscure that.
“Supporting Israel is, after all, only one facet of America’s strategy to promote its global interests, often at great cost to vulnerable populations across the world. Omar was drawing attention to this larger context, which might explain why Washington is so afraid of her,” Boyarin wrote. The “smearing” of Omar, he wrote, is less about anti-Semitism and more about stifling valid questions about American foreign policy.
Writer Sam Adler-Bell tweeted: “As a Jew, I am sick of politicians using my identity as fodder to smear young leaders of color. I know antisemitism when I see it. I’ve seen a lot of it lately. None of it from @IlhanMN.”
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