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Ilhan Omar (April 2021)
Photo: CRAIG LASSIG / EPA
Ilhan Omar is not exactly known for shying away from controversial topics.
Or that she always only makes friends for herself in the ranks of her own democratic party.
Now the Muslim US MP has caused outrage with critical statements about Israel and the USA.
Politicians from both Republicans and Democrats sharply criticized the Democrat on Thursday for statements in which she had compared the two countries to the radical Islamic Taliban and Hamas.
Especially from the ranks of the Republicans came calls for sanctions against the 38-year-olds.
Omar, who was elected to Congress in 2016 as the first Muslim woman, pestered US Secretary of State Antony Blinken with questions about the responsibility of the United States for victims of crimes against humanity at a hearing on Monday.
She then wrote on Twitter: "We have seen unimaginable atrocities committed by the US, Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan and the Taliban."
Democrat Pelosi not very enthusiastic
A group of Jewish Democrats then wrote an open letter in which they described "the equation of the United States and Israel with Hamas and the Taliban" as "as offensive as it is misguided."
"We urge Congressman Omar to clarify her words."
Open disapproval also came from the party leadership, including Speaker of Parliament Nancy Pelosi.
"Incorrect comparisons between democracies like the US and Israel and groups that participate in terrorism" are counterproductive for peace and security in the Middle East and the US, said the six-member Democratic group chairmanship.
The other side demands consequences
Numerous Republicans criticized even more clearly.
Omar's "anti-Semitic & anti-American comments are hideous," said Conservative MP Kevin McCarthy.
Without consequences for Omar, the Democrats would signal that they »tolerate anti-Semitism and sympathize with terrorists«.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton suggested to Omar that she could leave the United States if she found the country so hateful.
The 38-year-old comes from Somalia and came to the USA as a refugee in the 1990s and was later naturalized.
It was not the first time that she met with sharp criticism of Israel's policy towards the Palestinians from within her own ranks.
Ex-President Donald Trump had attacked Omar and other female progressive MPs, sometimes with drastic words.
jok / AFP