[Published: Tuesday February 12 2019]
US politician apologises over Israel tweet
WASHINGTON 12 Feb (ANA) - Muslim-American congresswoman Ilhan Omar "unequivocally" apologised on Monday for a tweet criticising a pro-Israel lobbyist group, after the post prompted reams of criticism from Republicans and many Democrats.
"Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes," Omar, one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, said in a statement posted on Twitter.
"We have to always be willing to step back and think through criticism, just as I expect people to hear me when others attack me for my identity," she continued.
"This is why I unequivocally apologise," Omar said, adding that she "reaffirm[s]" the "problematic role of lobbyists in our politics, whether it be AIPAC, the [National Rifle Association] or the fossil fuel industry".
Omar's statement came after a wave of criticism from Republicans and many Democrats, in which they called on her to apologise for using "anti-Semitic tropes".
The debacle erupted after Omar retweeted a post by Glenn Greenwald, a blogger at The Intercept, media pundit and frequent guest on Fox News programmes such as Tucker Carlson Tonight.
In that tweet, Greenwald criticised a leading Republican, Kevin McCarthy, for threatening "punishment" of Omar and fellow Muslim-American politicians Rashida Tlaib "over their criticisms of Israel".
While quoting Greenwald's post in a tweet, Omar wrote: "It's all about the Benjamins baby" followed by music note emojis.(ANA)
FA/ANA/12 February 2019------
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