Ilhan Omar On Her History Of Anti-Semitism: ‘I Didn’t Understand’ I Was ‘Trafficking In Anti-Semitism’

Rep. Ilhanomar (D-MN), claimed that she didn’t know she was pregnant during a Sunday interview. “trafficking in anti-Semitism” You may make anti-Semitic remarks.

Omar’s comments on CNN’s “State of the Union” Despite the possibility of her being expelled from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, she is not surprised. Statements from the past and hostility towards Israel.

“I might have used words at the time that I didn’t understand were trafficking in antisemitism,” She said. “When that was brought to my attention, I apologized. I owned up to it. That’s the kind of person that I am.”

Omar claimed Republicans were trying to hold her accountable because of her comments in the past. “politically motivated.”

Host Dana Bash brought up some of Omar’s past remarks and actions.

“I’m told that Republicans presented a list in their meeting, in a private meeting, this past week,” Bash stated. “Included in that list is that you said that Israel hypnotized the world. You said Israel is an apartheid regime, that politicians with pro-Israel stance – stances were all about the Benjamins, which you very notably apologized for, that you support the BDS movement, which a lot of people think is rooted in antisemitism, compared the U.S. and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban.”

Omar replied: “I certainly did not or was not aware that the word hypnotize was a trope. I wasn’t aware of the fact that there are tropes about Jews and money. That has been a very enlightening part of this journey.”

“To insinuate that I knowingly said these things, when people have read into my comments to make it sound as if I have something against the Jewish community, is so wrong,” She continued.

DANA BASH, CNN HOST:  Well, let me ask you, Congresswoman Omar, about what Republicans are saying about you, that there is a pattern of antisemitic and other controversial statements that make you unfit to sit on, in your case, the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

I’m told that Republicans presented a list in their meeting, in a private meeting, this past week. You also stated that Israel had hypnotized the entire world. You said Israel is an apartheid regime, that politicians with pro-Israel stance — stances were all about the Benjamins, which you very notably apologized for, that you support the BDS movement, which a lot of people think is rooted in antisemitism, compared the U.S. and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban.

I would like to allow you to respond to each of those questions, which they claim is a clear pattern.

REP. ILHAN OMAR (D-MN): Yes, I might have used words at the time that I didn’t understand were trafficking in antisemitism. I apologised when it was brought to my attention. I was honest about it. That’s the kind of person that I am.

Together with my colleagues, I will continue to fight antisemitism. I have never made any comparisons. Was referring to a case before the ICC? And if they want to debate political differences, and that’s something that we should all have the opportunity to do so, but to smear someone and their character, their love for their country and the work that they get to do on a committee is wrong.

It is also politically motivated. And, in some cases, it’s motivated by the fact that many of these members don’t believe a Muslim, a refugee, an African should even be in Congress, let alone have the opportunity to serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee.

BASH: That’s what you said before.

It sounds like you’re accusing Kevin McCarthy of racism.

OMAR: I mean, I’m not making any accusations. I’m just laying out the facts.

Donald Trump said, Muslims, Somali refugees are infiltrating the country, and you can still recall him coming into my state. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who came to Congress after Rashida got sworn-in and stated that Muslims infiltrate Congress, is what you remember. Boebert claimed that I was a terrorist.

What did McCarthy do? He said, she apologized, and we don’t have to worry about her Islamophobia.

This never happened.

These people can tolerate Islamophobia. They’re OK with trafficking in their own ways in antisemitism. They won’t allow a Muslim to be a member of that committee.

……..

BASH: I just — I do, though, want to ask, because this has been out there. And it is definitely a big issue that we we’re going to — we’re going to hear a lot more about on the House floor next week, Congresswoman.

So when you apologized for the — all about the Benjamins comment, you said: “Antisemitism is real. And I’m grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of antisemitic tropes.”

What have you learned?

OMAR: There are many.

I was unaware, or didn’t know that the word existed.