Ilhan Omar: Jewish students should be safe 'whether they are pro-genocide or anti-genocide'

The congresswoman noted that she had met a number of Jewish students who were participating in the encampment.

APRIL 28, 2024 19:12

Updated: APRIL 28, 2024 20:21

US Democratic House Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), walks toward the campus exit after visiting the protest encampment supporting Palestinians at Columbia University campus, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, US, April 25, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/CAITLIN OCHS) — US Democratic House Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), walks toward the campus exit after visiting the protest encampment supporting Palestinians at Columbia University campus, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, US, April 25, 2024.

(photo credit: REUTERS/CAITLIN OCHS)

In response to a question regarding how the protests at Columbia University would influence antisemitism on campus at Columbia University, US Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota referred to Jewish students as "pro-genocide or anti-genocide."

Omar's remarks about Jewish students came while visiting Columbia University on Friday.

I had to listen twice to make sure I heard this right because it’s utterly repulsive. @IlhanMN casually calls Jewish students “pro-genocide or anti-genocide.”That’s another way of saying “the unacceptable Jews or the acceptable Jews”pic.twitter.com/4ZCtYAx3MJ
— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) April 27, 2024

"I actually met a lot of Jewish students that are in the encampment," Omar began. "And I think it is really unfortunate that people don't care about the fact that all Jewish kids should be kept safe and that we should not have to tolerate antisemitism or bigotry for all Jewish students, whether they're pro-genocide or anti-genocide."

Omar's statement referred to the Jewish students' positions on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

U.S. Democratic House Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) visits the student protest encampment as protests continue at Columbia University, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, U.S., April 25, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/CAITLIN OCHS)

Omar's office has not yet issued a statement addressing the congresswoman's comments. Additionally, Omar has previously been embroiled in controversies related to her statements on Israel and antisemitism.

Ilhan Omar is a member of "The Squad," a group of Democratic congresspeople known for their left-wing positions and statements regarding Israel that have frequently been denounced as antisemitic.

Previously, Omar's daughter was arrested at the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University. She was also suspended with several other students from their studies at Barnard College after participating in a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on Columbia University's campus.

New York Democratic Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, members of "The Squad," were spotted interacting with individuals opposed to Israel at Columbia University on Friday. Their visit coincided with expressions of support for those involved in the encampment erected in protest of the Israeli military's actions in Gaza.