US: Democratic faction backs Omar in anti-Semitism spat

By Dildar Baykan

NEW YORK (AA) - An alliance of progressives and liberals in U.S. Congress on Wednesday voiced support for Ilhan Omar, the first congresswoman to wear hijab who has recently been accused of anti-Semitism.

In a written statement, Mark Pocan and Pramila Jayapal, the co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus which is affiliated with the Democratic Party, responded to President Donald Trump's call for Omar's resignation over her statements on the Jewish lobbying groups in the U.S.

"President Trump's remarks calling for Representative Ilhan Omar's resignation are disgraceful and, unfortunately, unsurprising. As a candidate and now president, Donald Trump has consistently and unapologetically trafficked in white nationalism, Islamophobia, sexism, and racism. Let us not forget that this president referred to violent neo-Nazis as 'very fine people'," the statement read.

Pocan and Jayapal saluted Omar's apology and said: "As a Somali American immigrant of Muslim faith, Representative Omar plays a vital role in the most diverse Congress in history. Americans of all political stripes must reject this transparently cynical effort by President Trump and Congressional Republicans to stifle and intimidate voices such as hers."

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, slammed Trump in a Twitter post: "Unlike this president, Representative Ilhan Omar demonstrated a capacity to acknowledge the pain and apologize, use the opportunity to learn about the history of antisemitism, and grow from it while clarifying her stance."

- Alleged anti-Semitism

"It's all about the Benjamins baby