Politics

Omar Praises Activist Who Labeled AIPAC The ‘Central Pillar Of The Occupation’

(SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)

Mike Brest Reporter
Font Size:

Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar retweeted a thread on Twitter Monday evening from an activist that supported the claim she made that pro-Israel lobbying group buy support for Israel, despite having apologized for that statement earlier in the day.

Omar retweeted a thread from Democratic activist Ady Barkan, who described working on a 2006 longshot congressional campaign where the candidate agreed to take specific stances on two issues in exchange for a donation from AIPAC.

One tweet in the thread reads, “AIPAC is a central pillar of the occupation. Without Congressional support, the Likud/anti-Palestine/pro-occupation project would be radically undermined. AIPAC is the anchor of that support, and its money and Sheldon Adelson’s money are indispensable to the work.”

“We have a growing anti-semitism problem in America. is not part of it. @lindasrsour is not part of it. They are allies of mine and of Jews across this country who are fighting for peace, racial justice, immigrants’ rights, and the defeat of fascism,” the next tweet reads.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 15: U.S. Rep Ilhan Omar (D-MN)speaks to media outside the US Captiol on January 15, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Barkan went on to condemn House Speaker Pelosi for denouncing Omar’s comments.

Omar responded to the thread, “. your courage can’t be matched. I am often in tears thinking about how you won’t be with us in this fight and how I am going to miss your presence and courage. In solidarity my friend, in solidarity.”

Her support for the thread comes only hours after she apologized for a tweet Sunday night in which she accused AIPAC of buying support from members of Congress in exchange for “Benjamins.”

“Anti-Semitism is real, and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes. My intention is never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole,” her statement reads in part.

Omar has been accused of pushing anti-Semitic sentiments in the past as well. She supports the Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) movement, has implied that Israel is not a democracy, and has previously accused Israel of “[hypnotizing] the world,” although she has since somewhat apologized for it.

Follow Mike on Twitter