Ilhan Omar

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About

Ilhan Omar is a Somali-American politician, serving as a United States Representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district. She is the first of two Muslim women elected to Congress and the first Somali American.

History

After working as a community nutrition educator at the University of Minnesota in the mid-2000s, Omar moved to politics, working as Kari Dziedzic's campaign manager during her 2012 re-election campaign for the Minnesota State Senate.

On January 3rd, 2017, Omar was sworn into the Minnesota House of Representatives, becoming the first Somali American legislator in the U.S.

The following year, she ran as for the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding Keith Ellison, winning later that year.^[1]

Criticism

Allegations of Anti-Semitism

Laura Loomer Tweets

In November 2018, conservative activist and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer was banned from Twitter after tweeting a series of Islamophobic sentiments regarding Minnesota State Representative Ilhan Omar. Loomer wrote, "Isn't it ironic how the twitter moment used to celebrate 'women, LGBTQ, and minorities is a picture of Ilhan Omar? Ilhan is pro Sharia Ilhan is pro- FGM Under Sharia, homosexuals are oppressed and killed. Women are abused and forced to wear the hijab. Ilhan is anti-Jewish." Twitter said the tweet violated terms of service (shown below).^[2]

On November 29th, Loomer handcuffed herself outside the Twitter offices in New York as a form of protest against the banning. Periscope user @drjaneruby posted a video of the stunt on the site. It was viewed by more than 1 million people in 24 hours (shown below).

As news spread about the stunt, people began mocking Loomer, her politics and her actions on Twitter.

Several media outlets covered Loomer's protest, including Mashable, ^[3] The Verge,^[4] NBC^[5] and more.

AIPAC Criticism

On February 11th, 2019, Ilhan Omar became the subject of a controversy after a series of tweets in which criticized the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobby for Israel, for influencing political support for Israel. These tweets were interpreted as anti-Semitic.

That morning, Omar responded to a tweet by journalist Glenn Greenwald, who wrote, "GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy threatens punishment for @IlhanMN and @RashidaTlaib over their criticisms of Israel. It's stunning how much time US political leaders spend defending a foreign nation even if it means attacking free speech rights of Americans." She responded with a quote by rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs, "It's all about the Benjamins baby. The post received more than 5,200 retweets and 25,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below, left).^[6]

Reporter Batya Ungar-Sargon responded to the tweet,^[7] "Would love to know who @IlhanMN thinks is paying American politicians to be pro-Israel, though I think I can guess. Bad form, Congresswoman. That's the second anti-Semitic trope you've tweeted." Omar responded, "AIPAC." The second tweet received more than 4,500 retweets and 22,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below, right).

Omar spent much of the day responding to allegations of anti-semitism, responding to a tweet^[8] by Chelsea Clinton, the former first daughter, with "Chelsea – I would be happy to talk. We must call out smears from the GOP and their allies. And I believe we can do that without criticizing people for their faith. I look forward to building an inclusive movement for justice with you." The tweet received more than 1,600 retweets and 15,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below, left).

Some defended Omar. Twitter user @saint_91 tweeted,^[9] "She's talking about the influence of Israel and this immediately gets twisted into antisemitism. Is she also Islamophobic for attacking Saudi's influence on American politics in exactly the same way?" The tweet received more than 960 retweets and 5,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below, center). Others chastised her. Republican Representative Steve Scalise tweeted,^[10] "Good that some Dems have condemned the disgraceful anti-Semitic remarks of Rep. Omar--but their words are empty unless Dem leaders remove her from the Foreign Affairs Committee. No one with her anti-Semitic views should be allowed to represent US foreign policy on that committee." The tweet received more than 7,500 retweets and 19,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below, right).

The following day, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted about the controversy.^[15] She wrote, "In our conversation today, Congresswoman Omar and I agreed that we must use this moment to move forward as we reject anti-Semitism in all forms." The tweet received more than 2,900 retweets and 10,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below, left).

Omar tweeted an apology for the tweets, writing^[11] "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[…]I unequivocally apologize." The post received more than 6,200 retweets and 37,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below, right).

Several media outlets covered the controversy, including The New York Times,^[12] Fox News,^[13] CNN^[14] and more.

#IStandWithIlhan

On February 13th, 2019, Jewish Voice For Peace ^[16] stared a social media campaign.^[17] Many celebrities contributed photos of themselves holding a sign that said #IStandWithIlhan including Angela Davis, Harry Belafonte, Eve Ensler and George P. Smith (shown below).

On February 27th, Rep. Ilhan Omar spoke about antisemitism and Palestinian rights at the Progressive Issues Town Hall in D.C. (shown below).

On March 2nd, following Ilhan's talk Congresswoman Nita Lowey^[19] tweeted, "Lawmakers must be able to debate w/o prejudice or bigotry. I am saddened that Rep. Omar continues to mischaracterize support for Israel. I urge her to retract this statement and engage in further dialogue with the Jewish community on why these comments are so hurtful." The tweet accumulated 1,000 retweets and 4,600 likes in four days (shown below).

The next day Ilhan Omar^[18] responded to Lowey's tweet by saying "Our democracy is built on debate, Congresswoman! I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee. The people of the 5th elected me to serve their interest. I am sure we agree on that!" The tweet garnered 9,700 retweets and 52,000 likes in three days (shown below).

That same day, Omar continued to respond in numerous tweets explaining her stance (shown below).

That day, following the Twitter debate between the congresswomen #IStandWithIlan began trending (shown below).

2019 Notre Dame Fire Response

On April 15th, 2019, following the Notre Dame fire Ilhan Omar^[20] tweeted, "Art and architecture have a unique ability to help us connect across our differences and bring people together in important ways. Thinking of the people of Paris and praying for every first responder trying to save this wonder" (shown below). The tweet gained over 8,000 retweets and 68,400 likes in two days.

Many conservatives found the tweet distasteful for not mentioning that the building was a church. On April 15th, Twitter user @RaheemKassam^[21] tweeted, "The Cathedral containing the Crown of Thorns is just 'art and architecture' to @IlhanMN. This is the same flippant attitude towards the sacred that ISIS displayed when destroying Palmyra" (shown below, left). The tweet garnered over 3,400 retweets and 8,000 likes in two days. Other Twitter users came to the congresswoman's defense. Twitter user @fidgitNZ^[22] tweeted, "Ilhan: 'I had toast for breakfast.' Ridiculous Right: 'omfg she is totally disrespecting breakfast as the most important meal of the day this is a clear attack on everything America stands for she should be deported back to Somalia where they hate breakfast!'" (shown below, right). The tweet gained over 900 likes in a day.