US Democrats face their own anti-Semitism scandal
Like their Labour counterparts, US liberals have been side-tracked by an ugly row over bigotry

US Democrats have become embroiled in a bitter internal row about anti-Semitism that threatens to derail their legislative agenda and side-track the party ahead of next year’s presidential election.
Since becoming the first Muslim woman elected to Congress earlier this year, Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar has drawn sharp criticism for her comments about Israel.
In a series of tweets she was accused of using anti-Semitic tropes and suggested Republican support of Israel is fuelled by donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), a prominent pro-Israel lobby group.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The growing backlash prompted a swift apology, but she was back in the spotlight again earlier this month after questioning the allegiance of Jewish lawmakers.
In comments at a bookstore reported by the New York Times, Omar said: “I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country”.
She questioned why it was acceptable for her to speak critically about the political influence of the National Rifle Association, fossil fuel industries and “big pharma,” but not Aipac.
In a furore that mirrors, to some extent, the one that has engulfed their counterparts in the British Labour party, the response of the Democrat hierarchy has sharply divided opinion.
In a bid to head off the growing scandal, the nominal head of the party, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, decided to adopt a firm stance by pushing a resolution strongly condemning anti-Semitism.
CNN reports that “members from both the Congressional Black Caucus and the younger, progressive wing of the party were furious about the leadership's gambit”, questioning why there was not the same denunciation of Republican bigotry and whether it could even put Omar’s life in danger.
The vote was eventually pushed back to next week “as Democrats became increasingly divided over the language of the resolution, and whether it would be broadened to include anti-Muslim bias – a sign of the delicate balancing act for Democrats on a notoriously complex issue spanning identity politics, party politics, geopolitics and a generational divide”, reports The Guardian’s David Smith.
“On the other side of the debate, moderate Democrats were frustrated that Omar's comments have derailed the agenda in the House and exposed divisions in an otherwise unified caucus” says CNN, adding “there are also concerns that a watered-down statement might end up looking like tolerance of anti-Semitic views within the caucus.”
The Independent says it has been seized upon by Donald Trump as a means of “exploiting divisions” within the Democrats.
On the back foot over a series of investigations, an ongoing trade dispute with China and a 11-year-high budget deficit, the president yesterday sought to go on the offensive by saying it was “shameful” the opposition had not taken a “stronger stand”.
“So while there is nothing new about the US-Israel relationship drawing scrutiny from the left, the political moment is ripe” says Smith, “and it coincides with a younger generation far more willing to challenge old orthodoxies of foreign policy.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'From his election as pope in 2013, Francis sought to reform'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
The anger fueling the Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez barnstorming tour
Talking Points The duo is drawing big anti-Trump crowds in red states
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
13 potential 2028 presidential candidates for both major parties
In Depth A rare open primary for both parties has a large number of people considering a run for president
By David Faris
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Schumer: Did he betray the Democrats?
Feature 'Schumer had only bad political options'
By The Week US
-
Resistance: How should Democrats oppose Trump?
Feature The Democrats’ lack of strategy leaves them struggling against Trump’s agenda
By The Week US
-
Schumer: Democrats will help pass spending bill
Speed Read The Democrats end the threat of government shutdown
By Peter Weber, The Week US