Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) on April 9, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) accused the Israeli government of committing an “act of terrorism” with its airstrikes into the Gaza Strip on May 10.
The Israeli strikes were in response to Hamas bombarding Israel with rockets earlier in the day. Omar was quote-tweeting the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU), which noted that the Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of 20 Palestinians, including nine children.
“Israeli air strikes killing civilians in Gaza is an act of terrorism,” Omar tweeted. “Palestinians deserve protection. Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, don’t exist to protect Palestinian civilians. It’s unconscionable to not condemn these attacks on the week of Eid.” Eid is the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan.
Israeli air strikes killing civilians in Gaza is an act of terrorism.
Palestinians deserve protection.
Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, don’t exist to protect Palestinian civilians.
It’s unconscionable to not condemn these attacks on the week of Eid. https://t.co/vWWQfMqBkT
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 10, 2021
Various pro-Israel Twitter users denounced Omar for her tweet. “Hamas, a U.S. designated terror group, is sending rockets to Israel,” Stop Antisemitism tweeted. “Israel, a key global ally to the U.S., defends herself by attacking Hamas. Ilhan Omar, a sitting U.S. Congresswoman, defends HAMAS! How dangerously low can Ilhan Omar go??!!”
Hamas, a U.S. designated terror group, is sending rockets to Israel
Israel, a key global ally to the U.S., defends herself by attacking Hamas.
Ilhan Omar, a sitting U.S. Congresswoman, defends HAMAS!
How dangerously low can Ilhan Omar go??!! https://t.co/a9EXEZ0Mjz https://t.co/NaJetHL6G8
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) May 10, 2021
Writer and activist Yoni Michanie similarly tweeted, “According to Ilhan Omar, Israel should be demonized for developing defensive weapons systems that protect her civilian population and Hamas deserves empathy for having limited capabilities to practice terrorism. This is from a sitting member of Congress.”
According to Ilhan Omar, Israel should be demonized for developing defensive weapons systems that protect her civilian population and Hamas deserves empathy for having limited capabilities to practice terrorism.
This is from a sitting member of Congress. https://t.co/cNh5LIjhN7
— Yoni Michanie (@YoniMichanie) May 10, 2021
The Israel Advocacy Movement also tweeted, “Hamas fire over 70 rockets at Israeli civilians. One Hamas rocket falls short and kills 3 children… in Gaza. Palestinian rioters attacking Jews try to lynch a driver and set fire to al-Aqsa. But Ilhan doesn’t condemn Hamas… she condemns Israel!”
Hamas fire over 70 rockets at Israeli civilians.
One Hamas rocket falls short and kills 3 children… in Gaza.
Palestinian rioters attacking Jews try to lynch a driver and set fire to al-Aqsa.
But Ilhan doesn't condemn Hamas… she condemns Israel!https://t.co/lXigWRGE40
— Israel Advocacy Movement (@israel_advocacy) May 10, 2021
British freelance journalist David Collier tweeted, “The *ONLY* reason there are strikes on Gaza is because terrorists are firing rockets at Israeli civilians. Condemn Hamas terrorists! Ilham Omar is toxic – she is a shill for Hamas – and she has no shame at all.”
The *ONLY* reason there are strikes on Gaza is because terrorists are firing rockets at Israeli civilians.
Condemn Hamas terrorists!
Ilham Omar is toxic – she is a shill for Hamas – and she has no shame at all.https://t.co/hm5yP3qaHk
— David Collier (@mishtal) May 10, 2021
International human rights lawyer Arsen Ostrovsky similarly accused Omar of being “a shill for Hamas,” noting that she has said nothing about how “it is Hamas and Palestinian terrorists in #Gaza that have fired over 100 rockets at #Israel tonight!”
You really are just a shill for Hamas! No word, not one, at fact that it is Hamas and Palestinian terrorists in #Gaza that have fired over 100 rockets at #Israel tonight! pic.twitter.com/u4grBdE2Fh
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) May 10, 2021
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.