The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously voted in favor of language condemning anti-Semitism.
The amendment states that "it is in the national security interest of the United States to combat anti-Semitism around the world because:
"(A) anti-Semitism is a challenge to the basic principles of tolerance, pluralism, and democracy, and the shared values that bind Americans together;
"(B) there has been a significant amount of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel hatred that must be most strongly condemned; and
"(C) there is an urgent need to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities, including synagogues, schools, cemeteries, and other institutions."
Before Wednesday's vote on a resolution calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the war in Yemen, the House overwhelmingly agreed to add an amendment offered by Republicans who are seeking to expose emerging Democratic divisions over support for Israel.
Although not explicitly mentioned by name, the move comes as first-term Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, one of the first two Muslim-American women elected to Congress, suggested members of Congress support Israel because they are being paid to do so, which drew bipartisan criticism and a rebuke from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In a pair of tweets over the weekend, Omar criticized the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. "It's all about the Benjamins, baby," she wrote, invoking slang about $100 bills.
Asked on Twitter who she thought was paying members of Congress to support Israel, Omar responded, "AIPAC!"
Coming under criticism from Democratic leadership, Omar later apologized.
Jewish Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders spoke with Omar by phone in an off-the-record conversation, Tuesday, to offer her his support in the wake of the controversy, according to a report in the online news site The Daily Beast.
On Thursday, news site Jewish Insider reported that the Independent senator told Arab American Institute founder and former member of the Democratic National Committee's executive committee James Zogby, "I talked to Ilhan last night to give her my personal support. We will stand by our Muslim brothers and sisters."
Omar supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel. And it's not the first time she's fought accusations of anti-Semitism. She insists her rejection of the Israeli government refers to its stance toward Palestinians and is not directed at Jewish people.
Omar has expressed regret for tweeting in 2012: "Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel." She said the statement came in the context of Israel's treatment of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
