Democrats reportedly squabble over whether proposed anti-Semitism resolution is an unfair attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar

Ilhan Omar.
(Image credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

House Democrats did not do much to counter the perception that the party is currently in the midst of internal drama on Wednesday, when House members reportedly clashed in a closed-door meeting concerning an upcoming vote on a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism.

The resolution is seen by many as an indirect sanctioning of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), whose recent comments about the United States' relationship with Israel have stirred controversy both inside and outside of the party.

Several members defended Omar directly, saying they would not sign the resolution if it mentioned the congresswoman specifically. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) said that Omar was a "target" for Republicans who are trying to divide the party.

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The Washington Post reported that others argued that the real source of growing anti-Semitism and racism in the U.S. stems from the President Trump and the White House. But some members, like Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fl.), who is Jewish, continued to push for the resolution, stating that Omar's words were hurtful. Omar suggested last week that supporters of Israel aren't loyal to the U.S. while criticizing the influence of lobbying efforts in U.S. politics.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tried to quell the squabbling to no avail, per Mediaite. Later, the speaker blamed the media for exaggerating the bickering and said that the party is "very united."

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Tim O'Donnell

Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.