Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) compared Saudi Arabia’s influence in the Trump administration to that of Israel’s, lamenting the money both have invested in pushing their policies.
Ahead of the Tuesday publication of her book This Is What America Looks Like: My Journey from Refugee to Congresswoman, Omar told the U.K.-based Sunday Times, “We know the amount of money and influence and connection that the Saudis have with the administration is really the reason that everything destructive they do is nullified. And that really is no different to what’s happening with Israel.”
She continued, saying, “There’s an alarming connection to the really destructive policies Israel is proposing and how much of it is being rubber stamped by this administration. And how much of it is being urged by Americans who have connection and influence with this administration.”
Since entering Congress in January 2019, Omar has made numerous anti-Semitic and anti-Israel remarks, including tweeting the following February “It’s all about the Benjamins baby,” referring to AIPAC and the pro-Israel lobby’s influence on U.S. policy.
Following backlash from both sides of the political and ideological spectrum, Omar apologized.
She also sought to introduce pro-BDS legislation into the U.S. House of Representatives.
