What did Ilhan Omar tweet?
US Representative Ilhan Omar is facing backlash over a tweet she posted on June 7, 2021. The Minnesota congresswoman released a statement clarifying her words after being slammed by Democrats and Republicans on social media. Ilhan Omar issued a video question to Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. The caption on her video tweet said: We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban. I asked @SecBlinken where people are supposed to go for justice." Immediately after sharing the video, Omar was slammed by users from both the left and right as they accused her of comparing the US and Israel to terror groups Hamas and the Taliban. 3 Omar was branded as antisemitic by Republicans following her tweet Credit: Splash  In May Omar, and members of the progressive "Squad" alongside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, slammed Israels airstrikes on the Gaza strip as terrorism.  Israeli airstrikes killing civilians in Gaza is an act of terrorism, Omar tweeted in response to the news. Palestinians deserve protection. Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, dont exist to protect Palestinian civilians. Its unconscionable to not condemn these attacks on the week of Eid, she added, referencing the Muslim holy week. Omar was accused of being antisemitic by Republicans and have pushed for her to be expelled from the House foreign affairs committee. Similarly, a group of 12 Democrats, led by Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, released a joint statement denouncing Omars comments saying: Equating the United States and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban is as offensive as it is misguided. "Ignoring the differences between democracies governed by the rule of law and contemptible organizations that engage in terrorism at best discredits one's intended argument and at worst reflects deep-seated prejudice. 3 Democrats and Republicans alike denounced Omar's statement and urged her to 'clarify her words' Credit: Getty Images - Getty  Adding: "The United States and Israel are imperfect and, like all democracies, at times deserving of critique, but false equivalencies give cover to terrorist groups." After facing backlash, Omar first criticized her colleagues for releasing a statement and saying it included "Islamophobic tropes." Yet, she clarified her remarks, writing: To be clear: the conversation was about accountability for specific incidents regarding those [International Criminal Court] cases, not a moral comparison between Hamas and the Taliban and the U.S. and Israel. "I was in no way equating terrorist organizations with democratic countries with well-established judicial systems.  Most read in US News JOE SHOW Biden says it's time to get to work as he meets G7 leaders ahead of Queen meeting CANDID KAM Flustered Kamala SNAPS at reporter when asked when she will visit Mexico Graphic Warning LASHED OUT Birthday girl gets entire EYELID torn off by chihuahua while getting lashes done ROLL HORROR Vid shows trooper FLIP pregnant woman's car for going 14mph over the limit OH SHIP! Two passengers on first vaccinated cruise in North America test POSITIVE for Covid IN THE MONEY How to track your stimulus check payment with Get My Payment tool  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, along with six other Democrat leaders issued a joint statement after Omar clarified her remarks, writing: Legitimate criticism of the policies of both the United States and Israel is protected by the values of free speech and democratic debate. And indeed, such criticism is essential to the strength and health of our democracies. "But drawing false equivalencies between democracies like the U.S. and Israel and groups that engage in terrorism like Hamas and the Taliban foments prejudice and undermines progress toward a future of peace and security for all.