Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who has made anti-Semitic remarks since being sworn in, plans to join the newly formed congressional caucus on black-Jewish relations, whose co-founders include Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), who has feuded with the congresswoman over her perceived anti-Semitic and anti-Israel remarks.
The Forward and Jewish Insider first reported the news of Omar’s interest in the Black-Jewish Caucus.
“Last month, [Rep. Jan Schakowsky] and I joined together to talk about the common threat of white nationalism faced by Muslim, black and Jewish-Americans. Glad to see colleagues follow through in working on the things that unite us and not divide us,” tweeted Omar on Wednesday.
Last month, @janschakowsky and I joined together to talk about the common threat of white nationalism faced by Muslim, black and Jewish-Americans. Glad to see colleagues follow through in working on the things that unite us and not divide us ????????https://t.co/KxGV0lnnGI https://t.co/ylJTjmjnxk — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) June 5, 2019
Omar said on Thursday that joining the Black-Jewish Caucus doesn’t mean “an endorsement” of Zeldin’s views, and that she hopes “Zeldin can learn and grow.”
“Just to be clear, my endorsement of the caucus and willingness to unite our communities against the threats of White supremacy isn’t an endorsement of Zeldin’s bigotry!” she tweeted.
Just to be clear, my endorsement of the caucus and willingness to unite our communities against the threats of White supremacy isn’t an endorsement of Zeldin’s bigotry! Linda’s point still remains valid but my hope here is that Zeldin can learn and grow. https://t.co/2Fp6znt353 — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) June 6, 2019
Zeldin responded on Twitter: “This new Caucus is a positive, bipartisan push to build bridges between 2 groups. Be helpful, accurate & better. Unite; don’t divide or try to poison like this latest personal attack. This is bigger than us & we have to be better than this.”
The caucus launch was announced on Monday at the American Jewish Committee’s annual Global Forum in Washington, D.C.
In addition to Zeldin, its founders are Reps. Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), Will Hurd (R-Texas), John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.).
The caucus will assemble politicians from both communities and both sides of the aisle to learn from each other and advocate for joint concerns.
