For all of the flak directed at congresswomen-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley, none deserve it so much as Rep.-elect Ilhan Omar, D.-Minn.
Omar, on the campaign trail, was asked about the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement. She gave vague answers about how BDS undermined the two-state solution. With the election behind us, she was much more forthcoming, making it clear she likes the movement, finds it morally fine, but simply disagrees with its tactics.
Her campaign said this week, “Ilhan believes in and supports the BDS movement, and has fought to make sure people’s right to support it isn’t criminalized. She does however, have reservations on the effectiveness of the movement in accomplishing a lasting solution.”
That’s a lot more precise, and a lot more pro-BDS, than her campaign-season statements.
In August, during a primary debate in a synagogue — of all places — Omar was asked “exactly where [she] stand[s]” on BDS.
“I believe right now with the BDS movement, it’s not helpful in getting that two-state solution,” replied Omar. “I think the particular purpose for [BDS] is to make sure that there is pressure, and I think that pressure really is counteractive.”
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency asked Omar about the reversal, which she insists wasn’t inconsistent at all.
“I believe and support the BDS movement and have fought to make sure people’s right to support it isn’t criminalized,” she said. “I do, however, have reservations on [the] effectiveness of the movement in accomplishing a lasting solution. Which is what I believe I said at the forum.”
She was polling far ahead in a solid blue district, so being more forthcoming about BDS wouldn’t have cost her the election. It might have hurt her party-mates, however, who would have been asked to comment on her anti-Israel position.
