Where do I stand when I hear Ilhan Omar? By Ayala Emmett

Shortly after the 2016 election I talked to an acquaintance who was active in social justice about justice activities in my synagogue; I spoke of the Jewish obligation to help the marginalized that is often emphasized in the Torah and throughout Jewish history. Her response was that she was surprised to hear that Jews were committed to charity and while she was not familiar with the Torah, Jews were rich and could afford giving money.

Linking Jews and money, is an old anti-Semitic ploy. The recent statement that American Jews pay politicians to support Israel that came from a newly elected Democratic congresswoman was shocking. So where do I stand when I hear Ilhan Omar making a not-so-veiled anti-Semitic remark? On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict I stand where I have always been, a peace activist. I oppose Israel’s occupation and I support a two-states solution.

I am not going to rehash the history of the Israeli Palestinian conflict; I have written about it extensively and so have many more erudite writers than myself, on both sides of the conflict. I see the destruction or denial of the rights of one or the other people as senseless and cruel politics. You can’t right the suffering of Palestinians by advocating the destruction of Israel or the other way around. My hope has always been that justice for both peoples will find the right leadership. Israelis and Palestinians need each other because they have to live side by side. None of them is going away. They most certainly don’t need people who stoke more hatred between them. Progressives in America would do well to help those on the ground, like Combatants for Peace, and Women Wage Peace to build bridges across differences.

Instead, under the banner of support for Palestinians what we see now in America is a dangerous blurring of the line between criticism of the Israeli government and anti-Semitism. How far is Ilhan Omar from “Jews will not replace us” in Charlottesville? Not far enough from where I am standing. People like Congresswoman Omar actually join Trump the chief amplifier of anti-Semitism, an American president who has no interest in ending the occupation or in advancing peace. Ilhan Omar and I may disagree on a negotiated peace resolution between Israelis and Palestinians, on the solution of one or two-states, or on Israel’s right to exist. But I denounce her anti-Semitic tactics.

The Ilhan Omar Problem By Peter Eisenstadt

One of the best things about the new congress is that the Democratic Party seems to be slowly moving out its near total subservience to the political agenda of the Israeli government. This was aided considerably by Netanyahu making clear over the last few years that he hated Barack Obama and admired the corrupt malevolent buffoon who replaced him. There is a small but growing willingness on the part of some Democrats to take a more questioning role to Israel.

One of the most depressing conversations I ever had on Israel was about a decade ago, when, as a member of a J Street delegation, when I was still living in Rochester visiting the late Congresswoman Louise Slaughter in her office. We gave her the standard J Street spiel about two states, etc. Louise said, I know, I know, I’ve been to Israel, and Netanyahu is a son of a bitch. But if I ever said so publicly, AIPAC will start calling my office, demanding meetings, and I’ll never hear the end of it. It would have created too many problems for her, and wasn’t worth it politically. If the Jewish members of the House took a lead on this, she would make her feelings clear, but she would have to be a follower, not a leader. We understood.

And so, Congresswoman Omar, it’s not all about the Benjamins, though money of course greases any efficient lobbying effort. AIPAC has genuine reserves of support, and it has strategically deployed them with great effectiveness. And the way to change this is to do what J Street, Partners for Progressive Israel, and other left of center organizations have done, slowly build a constituency for a different American Jewish politics toward Israel.

You say something stupid and insulting, you apologize, as sincerely, as you can. You accept the apology, and go about your business. The Democratic leadership in the House and Congresswoman Omar handled this appropriately. The case is closed, although the Republicans will try to use this to tar the Democratic party with anti-Semitism, Islamophilia, and as someone accused me on a list I no longer subscribe to, of being a “useful idiot for Palestinian terrorism.” The Republicans of course have no standing to accuse anyone of anti-semitism, they will try to divide Jewish opinion, they will use it, as they already are, as a cover for their own racism, and they will try to make BDS a thought crime. Now is the time for Democrats to say that this episode is finished.

So Congresswoman Omar, be careful what you say; with all the damn human rights violations Israel commits almost daily, there is no lack of real things to talk about, without being needlessly inflammatory. There are real differences on the left on Israel Palestine matters. They will separate us and distinguish us, we have to try not let them divide us and make us enemies. This will take work on all sides. People on the left, Palestinians, and Palestinian-Americans are entitled to feel really, really angry toward Israel, and attitudes toward Israel can never be fully kept distinct from attitudes towards Jews in general, especially if you’re not careful, and Congresswoman Omar, you have not been. You have a unique vantage to make the case for Palestine. You do it in your way, which will be different from my way. I hope you have learned your lesson. Don’t do stupid stuff again.