United States Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who has long called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, has never condemned the atrocities committed by the latter.
At the Capitol Hill last 13 November, rhe progressive lawmaker, who is one of the only Muslim women in Congress, was captured in footage shared on social media being surrounded by pro-Israel protesters as she tried to enter an elevator who told her to "go to Gaza, sweetheart."
Instead of answering the questions and arguments of the protesters, Omar responded bluntly with an explicit retort: "Fuck you." That's it. That's her argument.
Israel’s military has bombed the Gaza Strip for more than a year in retaliation for the horrific Hamas attack 7 October 2023, that killed 1,200 people. The bombings and other military actions have killed at least 40,000 men, women and children, who were used by Hamas as human shields. Israel also destroyed schools and hospitals, which hides the hostages and Hamas officers.
Omar’s response came after nearly an entire minute of the group waiting alongside her at the elevator while asking "what are you doing," "why do you stand with Hamas" and "would you just condemn Hamas, would you just say that it’s wrong to take hostages?"
"Just say that," one of the protesters continued in the footage. "You can’t say that?" Not only can't she say it, but she has not publicly condemned it.