House Republicans are criticizing Democratic leadership on Thursday for their handling of the ongoing accusations of anti-Semitism levied against Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Omar ruffled feathers with comments she made regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict and the “dual loyalty” she feels like members of Congress have to Israel. Many of her colleagues, including some on the Foreign Affairs Committee with her, have condemned her statements.
A resolution condemning anti-Semitism was scheduled to take place on Wednesday but it was delayed. The text of the resolution did not mention her by name. As of Tuesday night, there were reports that additional language condemning Islamophobia would be added.
Representative-elect Ilhan Omar (D-MN) speaks to the media after a lottery for office assignments on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., November 30, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts
“I am a strong proponent of freedom of religion it is one of the bedrock principles of our country,” Texas Republican Rep. Ron Wright, one of Omar’s colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told The Daily Caller. “I am opposed to any slander of religion, no matter what religion it is. But this merely diverts attention from the inappropriate assault on Judaism by Congresswoman Omar.”
A number of Republican members on the committee, including New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, Mississippi Rep. Michael Guest, and Pennsylvania Rep. Guy Reschenthaler have condemned Omar’s statements about “dual loyalty.”
“Rep. Omar’s anti-Semitic comments indicate her views are far outside the mainstream of American foreign policy,” Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw told The Caller. “Democratic leadership should recognize her hurtful comments for what they are — her true beliefs — and remove her from the Foreign Affairs committee.” (RELATED: ADL Calls For Resolution Condemning Anti-Semitism Following Rep. Omar’s Comments)
Zeldin, Reschenthaler, Wisconsin Rep. Liz Cheney, and Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise agree with Crenshaw and have called for her removal from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. (RELATED: Omar Facing More Accusations Of Anti-Semitism)
A Committee spokesperson told The Caller, “Ranking Member McCaul rejects hatred and bigotry in all its forms. However, we do not have text at this time so we can’t comment. Ranking Member McCaul stands by his previous statement regarding the disturbing pattern of anti-Semitic comments from Rep. Ilhan Omar. We are hopeful that House Democratic leadership will take appropriate action soon on this very serious matter.”