"What the congresswoman said is very uncontroversial," noted journalist Glenn Greenwald. "Everyone knows AIPAC is an extremely intimidating lobby, just like the NRA is. There's nothing wrong with pointing that out."Representative Omar speaks now of things most in Congress cannot and will not address. And what she's doing is so very difficult. I thank her for her leadership, and for her willingness to speak out on the devastating and longlasting violence in Occupied Palestine. I thank her for listening to critics, thinking it all through, and refocusing on the critical issues at hand. We can (and we must) confront Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia and every form of bigotry and racism--wherever and whenever they betray freedom and decency. At the same time--in the same places and the same communities--we can (and we must) expose the organized efforts to subjugate whole peoples and deprive them of their freedom and land and livelihood. This requires depth, maturity and courage. And Representative Omar seems up to the task.
What resonates with me, powerfully, is Representative Omar's combination of humility and courage, self-reflection and purposefulness. She reminds all of us that it is possible--indeed, it is necessary--to move forward in ways that are open to correction, yet deeply committed to forthright truth-telling. In all the work that lies ahead--from Palestine to Green Deal to Voting Rights--we'll have to learn the lessons Representative Omar is teaching us.
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| Rep. Omar's Apology (2/11/19) |
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| Jewish Voice for Peace: "I Stand with Ilhan" |
