THE RUNDOWN | The Democrats have come under fire for what some in the Jewish community — and outside of it, too — perceive as a watered down resolution in response to Ilhan Omar's comments. Can the GOP take advantage of that? Our Dan Raviv analyzes. Story:
US lawmakers on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a resolution condemning anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred and bigotry, following an acrimonious debate over a Muslim congresswoman's comments about Israel policy.
The vote had been postponed several times, but the measure eventually passed with an almost unanimous 407 to 23. The revised legislation, however, did not reprimand Minnesota freshman Ilhan Omar by name after her remarks were deemed by several lawmakers as anti-Semitic.
The final resolution was more general, condemning all 'hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to (US) values and aspirations.'
The Muslim congresswoman, who unwittingly gave rise to the resolution, supported the motion herself.
Several Republicans and a few Democrats openly complained that the measure was watered down because what originated as a targeting of anti-Semitism was broadened out to include all forms of bigotry, including Islamophobia and discrimination against other minorities.
However, the remarks by Omar left the floodgates of debate open over what constitutes anti-Semitism, leaving many democrats heated behind closed doors.
Some Democrats were disgruntled that Omar's comments inspired the resolution despite US President Donald Trump's continued use of racially charged language since his presidential campaign.
'What I fear is going on in the House now is an effort to target Congresswoman Omar as a way of stifling that debate. That’s wrong,' said Bernie Sanders, who is looking to stage another presidential campaign in 2020.
US House Speaker Pelosi reiterated to reporters at a news conference Thursday that she did not believe Omar's remarks were intended to be anti-Semitic.
'I don't think that the congresswoman, perhaps, appreciates the full weight of how it was heard by other people,' Pelosi said.
Before the resolution was passed, Trump took to social media to blast 'House Democrats' for failing to take a stronger stance against anti-Semitism.
'It is shameful that House Democrats won’t take a stronger stand against anti-Semitism in their conference. anti-Semitism has fueled atrocities throughout history and it’s inconceivable they will not act to condemn it!' the president tweeted Wednesday.
At the closed meeting, Democrats reportedly took issue with the way Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and other leaders frantically hurried to dole out a resolution condemning anti-Semitic comments or insinuations following Omar’s provocative remarks.
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