Ilhan Omar quietly co-sponsors resolution on anti-Semitism and Israel

Amid the headlines of US Representative Ilhan Omar's ouster from the Foreign Affairs Committee last week, the lawmaker made a much quieter move when she signed on as a co-sponsor of a resolution called "recognising Israel as America's legitimate and democratic ally and condemning antisemitism" on that very same day.

This move by Omar, a longtime critic of Israel, who has been accused of anti-Semitism for some of her past statements on the country, might appear to be a headscratcher.

Several media outlets that have covered it have described it as a dramatic turnaround. 

However, a read through the text, obtained by Jewish Insider, shows that the resolution is focused on combatting bigotry in all its forms around the world, with a focus on anti-Semitism. It starts out by stating that the country's greatest exports are its ideals, in its people, knowledge, leadership and diversity. 

It goes on to acknowledge the hardships of immigrant and minority communities, including Blacks, Muslims, Latinos, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Arabs, Italians, Irish, and Jews, who have endured centuries of discrimination and racism. (Curiously, Native Americans are not mentioned.)

The resolution continues by noting that immigrants have made the US strong from their contributions, including Jews, who have suffered from centuries of anti-Semitic tropes, including controlling the government, the media and money, and for having more loyalty to Israel than the US.

Without naming anyone specific, it noted that some celebrities have used their platforms to spread anti-Semitism. 

The document concludes by stating that the House of Representatives "(1) rejects hate, discrimination, and antisemitism in all forms, including antisemitism masquerading as anti-Israel sentiment; (2) stands in unity with the Jewish people in the United States and around the world against the rising antisemitism; and (3) explicitly condemns perpetuation of antisemitic tropes, including claims of dual loyalty, control, and other conspiracy theories antithetical to American values." 

As it stands, the resolution's wording is general enough that it does not appear to make any significant commitments beyond condemning anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry. 

So far, Omar has made no indication why she made the decision, which could be interpreted in different ways. She did not share it as a press release on her website, nor did she share it on either of her two main Twitter accounts. Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, the resolution's sponsor, announced the resolution on Twitter, sharing a link to his office's press release, which on Tuesday evening was not working.

More than 30 House Democrats have reportedly signed on to the resolution, some of whom have criticised some of Omar's past statements on Israel. 

The Jewish Telegraph Agency reported that Gottheimer and Omar had been meeting one-on-one for some time to work through issues the disagreed on, including Israel.

"For some time now, I have had an open, often emotional, sometimes pointed, and always honest dialogue with US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar," JTA reported him as saying. 

"It is no secret that, over the years, I have been unabashedly critical about Congresswoman Omar's past comments. But, it is an enormous step forward that Congresswoman Omar has signed onto this Congressional Resolution in support of Israel as a Jewish and legitimate democratic State, that acknowledges Israel as a vital ally, and that condemns the use of antisemitic tropes, including those masquerading as anti-Israel sentiments."