A few days before her removal from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ilhan Omar cosigned a resolution “[r]ecognizing Israel as America’s legitimate and democratic ally” and referring to “the United States’ legitimate and trusted partner and ally, the Jewish and democratic State of Israel”.

To be sure, Omar pledged the same day that her “critique of… Israel’s policy towards Palestinians… will not change”. But Omar had previously condemned Israel’s “apartheid system“. Are we to conclude that Omar now views “apartheid” as “legitimate and democratic”?

In a defiant address before her ouster, Omar insisted her job was “not to cosign the stated foreign policy of whatever administration is in power” and vowed her “leadership and voice will not diminish”. Too bad she already did, and it already had.

118th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. RES. 92

Recognizing Israel as America’s legitimate and democratic ally and condemning antisemitism.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 2, 2023

Mr. Gottheimer (for himself, Ms. Omar, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Phillips, Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida, Ms. Manning, Ms. Slotkin, Mr. Moskowitz, Mr. Goldman of New York, Ms. Wild, Mr. Torres of New York, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Mr. Payne, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Porter, Mr. Horsford, Mr. Soto, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Vicente Gonzalez of Texas, Mr. Costa, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Trone, Ms. Meng, Mr. Golden of Maine, Mrs. Lee of Nevada, Ms. Spanberger, Ms. Brown, Mr. Case, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, and Mr. Nickel) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

RESOLUTION

Recognizing Israel as America’s legitimate and democratic ally and condemning antisemitism.

Whereas America’s greatest exports to the world are its people, their knowledge, and the Nation’s leadership;

Whereas a critical part of the country’s strength is the diversity of its people, and the American immigrant experience encapsulates the American dream;

Whereas every American immigrant community, Black Americans, Latino Americans, Muslim Americans, Asian American and Pacific Islander Americans, Arab Americans, Italian Americans, Irish Americans, Jewish Americans, and so many other minorities, endured a centuries-long scourge of hate, discrimination, and racism;

Whereas these communities are what makes the country strong and contribute to the very essence of what it means to be a great Nation of immigrants;

Whereas Jewish Americans have contributed in unique and positive ways to every aspect of American life, in diverse fields ranging from science to arts and entertainment;

Whereas antisemitism is one of the oldest forms of hatred, predates the founding of the Nation, and has led to killings of Jews throughout time, at home and abroad;

Whereas Middle Age-era blood libels, the accusation of Jews murdering non-Jews for their blood, led to pogroms and large-scale executions of innocent Jewish people, and ultimately displacement and genocide across the world, and barbarous anti-Israel terrorism;

Whereas Jewish Americans face rampant antisemitism in various forms in the 21st century with age-old tropes such as controlling the government and media, yielding too much influence in decision-making bodies, seeking political, financial, and global dominance in society, and as greedy “money-hungry” people;

Whereas Jewish Americans have also been accused of being more loyal to Israel than to the United States, suggesting that Jewish Americans cannot be trusted neighbors, citizens, or members of society;

Whereas America’s involvement in the Middle East and alliance with the United States’ legitimate and trusted partner and ally, the Jewish and democratic State of Israel, cannot be misconstrued for lack of trust or commitment to the United States;

Whereas with increasing frequency, public figures, government officials, and celebrities use their pulpits to spread hateful, antisemitic views; and

Whereas countless Americans reject these libelous assaults on Jewish Americans and their integrity as a community: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) rejects hate, discrimination, and antisemitism in all forms, including antisemitism masquerading as anti-Israel sentiment;