WASHINGTON — A bitterly divided House on Thursday ousted Representative Ilhan Omar, Democrat of Minnesota, from the Foreign Affairs Committee over past comments about Israel that were widely condemned as antisemitic, as Republicans moved to cater to the demands of right-wing members and mete out reprisals to their political adversaries….
Yet during an unusually raw debate on the House floor on Thursday, prominent Democrats including many Jewish members stood alongside Ms. Omar’s closest friends in Congress to defend her in passionate, and at times emotional speeches, accusing Republicans of hypocrisy, xenophobia and racism for targeting her while saying nothing about antisemitic remarks by members of their own party, some of whom have associated with Holocaust deniers.
“A blatant double standard is being applied here. Something just doesn’t add up. And what is the difference between Rep. Omar and these members? Could it be the way that she looks? Could it be her religious practices?” said Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York was more direct: “This is about targeting women of color in the United States of America,” she said during brief but heated remarks.
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