Pro-Israel Lobbying and Ilhan Omar’s Tweet: What the Numbers Say
Share
[aggregation-styles]
Quartz
Quartz
The Numbers Behind Ilhan Omar’s AIPAC Tweet
Republicans and Democrats criticized Ilhan Omar, the Democratic congresswoman from Minnesota, after she tweeted that Republican support for Israel is linked to cash, particularly from the powerful pro-Israel group AIPAC. Jerry Nadler, the New York Democrat who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, called Omar’s remarks “deeply disappointing and disturbing” and said she “appears to traffic in old anti-Semitic tropes about Jews and money.” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said Omar’s “use of anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations about Israel’s supporters is deeply offensive.’
At the same time, some Americans rushed to Omar’s defense. “Lobbies influence politics, I don’t think that’s controversial to say,” said Rebecca Vilkomerson, executive director of Jewish Voice for Peace. “It’s not anti-Semitic to accurately describe something that is completely obvious about the Israeli lobby,” tweeted Brandon Friedman, a former Obama official who heads a public-relations agency whose clients address national security and defense issues.
At the same time, some Americans rushed to Omar’s defense. “Lobbies influence politics, I don’t think that’s controversial to say,” said Rebecca Vilkomerson, executive director of Jewish Voice for Peace. “It’s not anti-Semitic to accurately describe something that is completely obvious about the Israeli lobby,” tweeted Brandon Friedman, a former Obama official who heads a public-relations agency whose clients address national security and defense issues.
By Heather Timmons | 11 Feb 2019
RELATED TOPICS:
Fresno Shooting Leaves Man Dead Near Griffith and Hughes
Latest /
18 hours ago
Iran and Israel Say a New Wave of Iranian Missile Attacks Has Begun. Explosions Heard Over Jerusalem
World /
18 hours ago
The Best Songs of 2025, So Far
Latest /
2 hours ago
Does Merced County Need an Independent Commission to Draw Board of Supervisors Districts?
Politics /
4 hours ago
Israel Had the Courage to Do What Needed to Be Done
Opinion /
4 hours ago
Vacant Fresno Restaurant Heavily Damaged in Early Morning Fire
Local /
17 hours ago
Visalia Police Make Arrest in Deadly Hit-and-Run
Crime /
17 hours ago
Fresno Shooting Leaves Man Dead Near Griffith and Hughes
Latest /
18 hours ago
Iran and Israel Say a New Wave of Iranian Missile Attacks Has Begun. Explosions Heard Over Jerusalem
World /
18 hours ago
The Best Songs of 2025, So Far
Latest /
2 hours ago
Does Merced County Need an Independent Commission to Draw Board of Supervisors Districts?
Politics /
4 hours ago
Israel Had the Courage to Do What Needed to Be Done
Opinion /
4 hours ago
Vacant Fresno Restaurant Heavily Damaged in Early Morning Fire
Local /
17 hours ago
Visalia Police Make Arrest in Deadly Hit-and-Run
Crime /
17 hours ago
Fresno Shooting Leaves Man Dead Near Griffith and Hughes
Latest /
18 hours ago
Iran and Israel Say a New Wave of Iranian Missile Attacks Has Begun. Explosions Heard Over Jerusalem
World /
18 hours ago
Protests, Parades and Pride: One Week in June 2025 Is Drawing Stark American Fault Lines
WASHINGTON — On the first weekend: a vision of the nation built upon inclusivity and the tenets of liberalism — a conception of country that...
Latest /
46 minutes ago
Categories
Latest
Videos

Latest /
46 minutes ago
Protests, Parades and Pride: One Week in June 2025 Is Drawing Stark American Fault Lines

Crime /
54 minutes ago
Former State House Speaker, Husband Killed in Politically Targeted Shooting

Latest /
2 hours ago
The Best Songs of 2025, So Far

Politics /
4 hours ago
Does Merced County Need an Independent Commission to Draw Board of Supervisors Districts?

Opinion /
4 hours ago