Ilhan Omar started out in Congress as a somewhat lonely critic of decades of U.S. policy in the Middle East. Now, six months into her second term, the Minnesota Democrat has new and diverse allies as the party grows increasingly comfortable defending her.
politico.com/news/2021/06/2…
politico.com/news/2021/06/2…
It’s a sign that the party’s shift on the U.S. role in the Middle East was more than just a short-term fixture of the recent conflict in Gaza. And the reactions to Omar’s comments highlighted the generational divide between the old guard & those more willing to criticize Israel.
Punishments for Omar never materialized. The dozen Jewish Dems who issued a statement condemning her didn’t push the issue further.
“There were more Jews who didn’t sign that letter than did,” said Rep. Yarmuth (D-Ky.), who is Jewish, describing it as an “overreaction.”
“There were more Jews who didn’t sign that letter than did,” said Rep. Yarmuth (D-Ky.), who is Jewish, describing it as an “overreaction.”
.@AOC on the generational divide & U.S. military aid:
“Young people really look at this through a secular & non-ethnic or cultural or national point of view,” she told me. “Young people are saying, why are we paying for this? Why are we supporting this?”
politico.com/news/2021/06/2…
“Young people really look at this through a secular & non-ethnic or cultural or national point of view,” she told me. “Young people are saying, why are we paying for this? Why are we supporting this?”
politico.com/news/2021/06/2…
On Dem leadership’s posture—
“She’s lived through human-rights atrocities, so she’s going to call that out when she sees it," @RepBowman said. “And we as a party have to support her and we have to also call it out when we see it—whether it’s Israel or another part of the world.”
“She’s lived through human-rights atrocities, so she’s going to call that out when she sees it," @RepBowman said. “And we as a party have to support her and we have to also call it out when we see it—whether it’s Israel or another part of the world.”
The rising number of allies is a victory for Omar & fellow progressives who say their messaging on Israel is improving & attracting new support from across the caucus/party.
“It’s a generational shift of prioritizing human rights...in American foreign policy,” @RoKhanna said.
“It’s a generational shift of prioritizing human rights...in American foreign policy,” @RoKhanna said.
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