Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., during a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol, expressed her frustration with President Biden and Democratic leadership for their stance on Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The congresswoman, part of the progressive “Squad,” called for a ceasefire in the war-torn region.
Omar criticized President Biden’s prioritization of American citizens in Israel over those stranded in Gaza. “How is it that we have a president who is talking about releasing hostages and getting Americans out of Israel but could not get himself to say, I want to save the thousands of Americans stuck in Gaza? What is wrong with you?” she exclaimed. Omar highlighted the disproportionate use of force, claiming Israel dropped more bombs on Gaza in 10 days than the U.S. did in an entire year in Afghanistan.
Expressing her dismay, Omar questioned the perceived value of American lives based on their location. “Is the American living in Gaza less important than the one in Israel? How is it that you’re telling American citizens to go to the south of Gaza, but you can’t tell Netanyahu not to bomb the south because there are Americans there?” she challenged.
Omar also criticized her fellow Democrats, revealing her discomfort with colleagues who she felt were unfairly blaming all Muslims for the violence. Although she did not specify names, her statement might have been in response to progressive Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., who criticized the “Squad” for their response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
Lamenting the lack of support within her own caucus, Omar questioned why there was resistance to a simple plea for peace and a ceasefire. “How is it that we are serving in a body where members condemn us for asking for a peace, for a ceasefire, the most simplest thing?” she wondered.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., for comments on Omar’s statements, but responses from both parties are pending.
This incident follows a previous controversy where Omar incorrectly blamed Israel for a Gaza hospital explosion, an assertion debunked by U.S. intelligence. Despite this, Omar did not issue an apology for her statement.
During a separate encounter with Fox Business reporter Hillary Vaughn, Omar dismissed questions about her support for a ceasefire against terrorist groups, referring to the reporter as a “crazy lady” before boarding an elevator.
The congresswoman’s passionate critique underscores the deep divisions within the Democratic Party regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, raising questions about the party’s unified stance on the issue.
