Bernie Sanders defends Ilhan Omar, says we must not 'equate anti-Semitism' with 'legitimate criticism' of Israel's 'right-wing' government

Associated Press

• Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont on Wednesday defended Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota against accusations of anti-Semitism.
• Comments Omar has made in recent weeks about US policy toward Israel have led to allegations of anti-Semitism from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.
• In a statement on Wednesday, Sanders said, "We must not...equate anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the right-wing, Netanyahu government in Israel."

Sen. Bernie Sanders on Wednesday came to the defense of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota as she faces accusations of anti-Semitism from congressional colleagues on both sides of the aisle over comments she's made regarding US policy toward Israel. 

In a statement, the independent senator from Vermont said, "Anti-Semitism is a hateful and dangerous ideology which must be vigorously opposed in the United States and around the world. We must not, however, equate anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the right-wing, Netanyahu government in Israel."

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See Also:

• House postpones anti-Semitism resolution to add language about Islamophobia after pressure from Ocasio-Cortez and progressive groups
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez laid into Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leadership after they condemned Ilhan Omar's Israel comments
• Israel's Netanyahu is about to be charged with bribery and breach of trust, 2 months before national elections

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