Minnesota's 5th District U.S. House Member, Rep Ilhan Omar has received a lot of media attention and been branded an "anti-Semite" by others in Congress and the President. This is all because she has mentioned the unconditional support of Israel by the U.S. Congress and questioned whether or not one can be true to two nations. She's also noted how much money pours into Congressional coffers from pro-Israel organizations. Assuming this money is not given just out of the goodness of their hearts, one can safely assume they are buying favor for Israel and its policies. Not unlike the NRA or Big Pharma, when one contributes, one expects payback.
I heard years ago anyone going into politics should never say anything good about Cuba and certainly never say anything bad about Israel. Any questioning of Israel's policies or practices will bring a charge of being an "anti-Semite."
Years ago when Jimmy Carter published his book "Palestine: Peace, not Apartheid" he crossed that imaginary line and was branded an anti-Semite and criticized for legitimizing the claims of the Arabs and Palestinians who live there. Anyone can go to Google and search "open secrets" and find out how much money goes to each elected official. But then, you have to ask yourself "what are they getting for their money?"
I applaud Rep. Omar's honesty and grit. It's been too long since anyone has demonstrated the courage to simply ask questions about Israel's treatment of its Arab population and Palestinians. She will be demonized. However, those folks who take the time to 'follow the money' will encourage her to keep telling truth to power.
I think she's off to a great start and I'm proud to have her representing Minnesota in Congress.
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Bruce Decheine
Baxter
