Why Did Ilhan Omar Sign an AIPAC-Endorsed Policy Letter?
Since she was elected in 2018, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar has been targeted by pro-Israel organizations, Republicans, and even members of her own party over her support for Palestinian rights. So, it naturally shocked a lot of people when she signed onto an AIPAC-backed policy letter that sides with the Trump administration on Iran.
The letter, which was initiated by staunchly pro-Israel Representatives Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Mike McCaul (R-TX), calls on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to extend the arms embargo on Iran, which is set to expire in October. Iran agreed to place limits on its nuclear program as part of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, but Trump infamously violated the nuclear deal in 2018. Now the administration is trying to use some of the framework for very agreement it broke to continue the embargo.
What’s Iran’s incentive here? Not only did the United States go back on the deal they negotiated, they’ve offered absolutely no sanction relief in recent years. On the contrary, Trump has strengthened the sanctions on Iran and even added new ones amidst the COVID-19 crisis. The administration knows full well that its sanctions are exacerbating the pandemic in Iran and having a devastating impact on its population. That’s the idea. Omar is one of the lawmakers who has consistently called for the sanctions on Iran to be lifted. “Keeping in place sanctions on Iran during the current public health crisis is not only cruel, it’s criminal,” she said in March, “These sanctions are not changing the behavior of the government of Iran, they are punishing innocent civilians who are suffering during this pandemic.”
Over 390 House members have signed onto the Pompeo letter, but Omar is currently the only member of “The Squad” who has done so. She has a reelection campaign coming up, but it’s difficult to imagine this as some kind of savvy political calculation. Omar is Public Enemy Number 1 for pro-Israel political organizations and one of the right’s favorite targets, the idea that she’d gain supporters by signing this letter seems ridiculous.
Here’s what Omar’s office told Al-Monitor when they were asked about the letter: “Congresswoman Omar has consistently, for a long time, supported arms embargos against human rights abusers. However, that is not to say that she supports Pompeo’s tactics or that her position on sanctions has changed, or that she is not in support of the [nuclear deal]. It was just a narrow ask that we couldn’t find anything wrong with.”
“No explanation by Omar’s office could possibly suffice, or morally justify this shameful decision,” said Palestine Chronicle editor Ramzy Baroud in response.
In February, Omar introduced a bill which would require congressional approval for any economic sanctions to be imposed on a country.
Cardin Won’t Oppose Annexation
Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) recently penned a letter voicing their opposition to Netanyahu’s proposed annexation of the West Bank, but don’t expect Maryland Senator Ben Cardin to sign it.
This week, Cardin told Jewish Insider that he didn’t believe the letter was productive and worried it would sour the U.S. relationship with Israel. “I don’t think it is helpful for us to sow dissension in the United States as it relates to the support for Israel.” Cardin continued, “I think we have to show that even when we disagree with the policies of the government that the relationship between the United States and Israel must remain strong.”
Pelosi on Israeli Independence Day
Last week, a number of U.S. lawmakers put out statements celebrating Israeli Independence Day. One of them was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Here’s a portion of it:
Since the moment of Israel’s founding, the United States has been an unshakeable partner and trusted ally to the Jewish state. The stories of our two, proud nations are united by our shared commitment to mutual security and prosperity as well as our shared democratic values. That is why, last December, the House of Representatives passed a resolution reaffirming that ‘Only the outcome of a two-state solution that enhances stability and security for Israel, Palestinians and their neighbors can both ensure the state of Israel’s survival as a Jewish and democratic state and fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own.’
Pelosi is referring to House Resolution 326, which was voted on last December. Nearly every Republican voted against that resolution (viewing it as insufficiently pro-Israel), but “The Squad” also refused to back the legislation after all mentions of the occupation were cut out of the text.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) gave an impassioned speech on the House floor, explaining her opposition to the bill. . “Given our nation’s history of segregation, we should recognize when such injustices are occurring,” she said, “We cannot be honest brokers for peace if we refuse to use the words ‘illegal occupation by Israel.’”
Odds & Ends
?️Another JVP Endorsement. This one for Ihssane Leckey, who is running in Massachusetts’s crowded 4th district race. The current Representative for the district is Joe Kennedy, who is attempting to primary Senator Ed Markey.
“Jewish Voice for Peace Action has been at the forefront of our collective movement to transform our country into one that truly stands for peace and justice for all,” said Leckey in a statement, “I am proud to receive the support of our Jewish community as we continue to work tirelessly to restore the rights and human dignity of the Palestinian people, and anchor human rights and freedoms at the center of our humane foreign policy.”
? In last week’s issue of The Shift, we covered the battle over Palestine at Tufts University and the backlash over the campus SJP chapter winning a school award. Tomorrow at 4 EST, the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs is holding a webinar on the smear campaign being waged against the group and the state of pro-Palestine campus groups more broadly. It features Hatem Bazian, senior lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley and Hasan and Paolo, members of Tufts University’s SJP chapter. You tune in on YouTube.
?? The Harvard Law Review published a note arguing against claims that the BDS movement constitutes legal discrimination.
?? Trump predictably vetoed a resolution that would have limited his ability to attack Iran without congressional approval. The resolution came in response to the administration ordering the murder of Iranian major general Qasem Soleimani in January. “Contrary to the resolution, the United States is not engaged in the use of force against Iran,” said Trump. Big, if true.
Take care of one another and wash your hands,
Michael
