House Democrat accused of threatening Jewish colleague for speaking boldly about Dems who opposed pro-Israel resolution



Rep. André Carson (D-Ind.) is not happy that his colleague, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), criticized him and other House Democrats who voted against a pro-Israel resolution.

Last Thursday, the House passed a resolution supporting Israel, condemning Hamas, and reaffirming the U.S. government's readiness to help Israel defend itself. Nine Democrats — including Carson — voted against the resolution, while another six failed to support it by voting "present." Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) was the only Republican who voted against it.

After the vote, Gottheimer, who is Jewish, torched his Democratic colleagues.

"Last night, 15 of my Democratic colleagues voted AGAINST standing with our ally Israel and condemning Hamas terrorists who brutally murdered, raped, and kidnapped babies, children, men, women, and elderly, including Americans," Gottheimer said. "They are despicable and do not speak for our party."

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Carson, who is Muslim, responded by personally attacking Gottheimer as a "coward."

"I think he's shown himself to be very emotional. I think he's posturing before the cameras. He postured before caucus, but like most cowardly people, when you confront them, they're afraid. I'm unafraid of the guy. I'd like to sit down to talk to him. He probably doesn't want to talk to me," Carson told CNN.

"There are Americans out there who are deeply opposed to what’s happening. And if he wants to call us despicable, I'm saying he's a coward. And he's a punk and he should remember why the people sent him here and if he wants to play some kind of tough guy, a gangster – we can handle it like gentlemen, or we can get into something else," Carson added.

Carson's concluding remark — telling CNN that he and Gottheimer can handle their dispute like "gentlemen" or "get into something else" — was a veiled threat of violence, according to Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt.

"It's inexcusable for any member of Congress to threaten a colleague, & especially egregious that @RepAndreCarson is threatening a Jewish member for speaking out at a moment when we're seeing a massive spike in antisemitism," Greenblatt responded. "What's the point? Does he think it’s productive to intimidate @RepJoshG?"

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In a statement, Gottheimer said he is willing to dialogue with Carson.

"I'll sit down with Mr. Carson any time to talk about how we can bring the hostages home, including all Americans, provide immediate humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians being used as human shields, and crush Hamas and all terrorists seeking to do us harm," Gottheimer said.

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'Open brawl': House Dems rip Rep. Omar for equating US, Israel, and Hamas — with some reportedly calling her an 'anti-Semite.' Omar claps back.



Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) upset a lot of people this week when she equated the U.S. and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban. It turns out it wasn't just Republicans who are calling her out for her remarks.

A dozen of her fellow U.S. House Democrats issued a statement Wednesday night criticizing her statements. And now a report has surfaced that the split between Omar and Democratic caucus is more significant than previously reported, with some Democratic lawmakers reportedly calling her an "anti-Semite" privately.

What did Omar say?

In a Monday tweet, Omar claimed the U.S., Israel, Hamas, and the Taliban have all committed "unthinkable atrocities" and human rights abuses.

"We must have the same level of accountability and justice for all victims of crimes against humanity," she said.

The tweet included a clip of Omar questioning Secretary of State Antony Blinken how those who perpetrate human rights abuses — including, she said, Hamas, the Taliban, and Israeli security forces — will be held accountable.

Omar's tweets and questions for Blinken came in the wake of thousands of Hamas rocket attacks against Israel in May, to which Israel responded with targeted air strikes. During the conflict, Omar accused Israel of committing war crimes.

How did her Democratic critics respond?

On Wednesday, 12 Democratic representatives, led by Illinois Rep. Brad Schneider, issued a statement condemning Omar's accusations.

"Equating the United States and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban is as offensive as it is misguided," the statement began. "Ignoring the differences between democracies governed by the rule of law and contemptible organizations that engage in terrorism at best discredits one's intended argument and at worst reflects deep-seated prejudice."

"The United States and Israel are imperfect and, like all democracies, at times deserving of critique, but false equivalencies give cover to terrorist groups," the dozen Democrats concluded. "We urge Congresswoman Omar to clarify her words placing the US and Israel in the same category as Hamas and the Taliban."

Schneider was joined by Democratic Reps. Jake Auchincloss (Mass.), Ted Deutch (Fla.), Lois Frankel (Fla.), Josh Gottheimer (N.J.), Elaine Luria (Va.), Kathy Manning (N.C.), Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.), Dean Phillips (Minn.), Kim Schrier (Wa.), Brad Sherman (Calif.), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.).

@RepAuchincloss, @RepTedDeutch, @RepLoisFrankel, @RepJoshG, @RepElaineLuria, @RepKManning, @RepJerryNadler,… https://t.co/07cQ7UpmTm

— Rep. Brad Schneider (@RepSchneider) 1623294169.0

Things, however, are reportedly worse than even that statement let on.

According to Punchbowl News, the fallout from Omar's actions "has erupted into an open brawl" and the "fight threatens to leave a deep divide among Democrats." It could even cost Omar her seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Punchbowl reported that a group of Jewish Democratic lawmakers met on a call Wednesday and were listening to a speaker address concerns about the right's anti-Semitism. The discussion, however, "quickly turned to Omar's recent remarks and what they should do in response."

This is not the first time Democrats have had to contend with Omar's anti-Semitic rhetoric, the outlet noted, citing the March 2019 anti-bigotry resolution the House was forced to pass in response to her multiple contentious statements.

Apparently, Omar's schtick is wearing on some of her liberal colleagues, as a "number of Omar's fellow Democrats believe Omar is an anti-Semite," Punchbowl reported, "even if they don't say so publicly."

Omar claps back

The left-wing Minnesota lawmaker did not take kindly to the Democrats' Wednesday statement about her latest remarks.

She went on Twitter to rip her fellow lawmakers for their "islamophobic tropes" and their "constant harassment & silencing."

"It's shameful for colleagues who call me when they need my support to now put out a statement asking for 'clarification' and not just call," she said. "The islamophobic tropes in this statement are offensive. The constant harassment & silencing from the signers of this letter is unbearable."

It’s shameful for colleagues who call me when they need my support to now put out a statement asking for “clarifica… https://t.co/0yzw8jNaQ0

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) 1623300196.0