Ilhan Omar is expelled by Republicans from the US House foreign affairs panel

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In response to the progressive congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s prior criticism of Israel, American Republicans have expelled her from the House Foreign Affairs Committee, provoking anger and charges of prejudice from Democrats.

On a partisan party-line vote, the House approved a motion on Thursday to revoke Omar’s committee assignment. Omar is one of two Muslim women serving in Congress and a former Somalian refugee.

Republican legislators claimed Omar’s “anti-Semitic” and “anti-Israel” statements rendered her ineligible for the foreign policy panel.

Omar, however, claimed that Republicans were picking on her because of her identity before the vote.

There is a perception that if you are Muslim, an immigrant, from a particular region of the world, or have a specific skin tone, you are a suspect, Omar said. “It is not a coincidence that Republicans have accused Barack Obama, the first Black president, of having a secret Muslim faith.”

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The representative claimed, “My voice will grow louder and stronger, and my leadership will be lauded throughout the world as it has been, if I am not on this committee for one term. “Okay, cast your ballots or not. I intend to stay here.

She committed to keep advocating on behalf of anyone affected by “unjust wars, atrocities, ethnic cleansing, occupation, or relocation.”

Omar’s dismissal from the committee was dubbed a “political stunt” and a “disservice to the American people” by the White House.

Karine Jean-Pierre, a spokeswoman for the White House, told reporters on Thursday that Congresswoman Omar “is a highly regarded member of Congress” and noted that Omar has apologised for prior remarks towards Israel.

When Omar said that political contributions from pro-Israel lobby groups, such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), fuel support for Israel in Washington, he was met with fury from both sides of the political aisle in 2019. Later, she walked back that statement.

Millions of dollars were spent on congressional races over the last two years by AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups to oust progressives who favour Palestinian human rights.

Although Omar was charged with anti-Semitism by the Republican resolution, it only mentioned comments made about Israel and not the Jewish people.

For instance, the legislation criticises the congresswoman for calling Israel a “apartheid state,” despite the fact that prominent human rights organisations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have likewise charged Israel of imposing an apartheid system on Palestinians.

Reference: Aljazeera