(Hill) House Democratic leaders on Tuesday defended progressive freshman Reps. Rashida Tlaib (Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (Minn.) against GOP accusations of anti-Semitism for their views toward Israel.
The two freshmen have drawn ire from Republicans for their support of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, which is critical of the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians.
Asked about the Republican charges that Tlaib and Omar are anti-Semites, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), an ardent supporter of Israel, cautiously defended his Democratic colleagues.
“Clearly, I condemn anti-Semitism,” he said at a press briefing in the Capitol. “I don’t know that I draw the conclusion, however, that those attacking those two members are correct that they [Tlaib and Omar] are anti-Semitic. I don’t accept that premise.”
