Hollywood celebrities concerned about bigotry in America made one big exception this week to defend Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) after she was accused of anti-Semitism for remarks she made about the pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
“It’s all about the Benjamins baby,” Rep. Ilhan Omar said in a social media post about GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy defending Israel.
It's all about the Benjamins baby 🎶 https://t.co/KatcXJnZLV
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 10, 2019
She then insinuated that AIPAC was paying American politicians to be pro-Israel.
AIPAC! https://t.co/UdzaFUEfrh
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 11, 2019
Many political figures, even Democrats, accused her of perpetuating harmful anti-Semitic tropes.
Co-signed as an American. We should expect all elected officials, regardless of party, and all public figures to not traffic in anti-Semitism.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) February 11, 2019
Hollywood celebrities, however, had a different opinion.
“I’m a Jew; she was right about AIPAC,” comedian Michael Ian Black said, adding, “Also, I’m an American; I’m right about the NRA.”
Also, I'm an American; I'm right about the NRA.
— Michael Ian Black (@michaelianblack) February 13, 2019
“Trump’s criticism of Omar is ironic given how many times he has made anti-Semitic comments or hesitated to denounce such rhetoric,” Mia Farrow remarked.
Trump’s criticism of Omar is ironic given how many times he has made anti-Semitic comments or hesitated to denounce such rhetoric. Here are some of the most egregious examples. https://t.co/1YT7P0uKhK # via @HuffPostPol
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) February 13, 2019
Left-wing director Judd Apatow responded to Vice President Mike Pence’s condemnation of Omar, snarking, “Pocahontas is cool? Nazi’s are good people is cool? Mexicans are rapists is cool? Africa is a shithole is cool? Grab em by the pussy is cool? Gotcha.”
Pocahontas is cool? Nazi’s are good people is cool? Mexicans are rapists is cool? Africa is a shithole is cool? Grab em by the pussy is cool? Gotcha. https://t.co/ya4XLoQr60
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) February 13, 2019
Rosie O’Donnell re-tweeted a similar criticism of Trump, simply adding, “ImpeachTrumpNow.”
#ImpeachTrumpNow https://t.co/AFJK7qyBDo
— ROSIE (@Rosie) February 13, 2019
Michael Moore simply posted a glowing photo of Omar.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) February 13, 2019
“Count on my support. House is lucky to have you,” actor Rob Delaney told Omar.
https://twitter.com/robdelaney/status/1095049792726679552
Check out all the celebrity reactions:
“we must be careful that we do not allow the justifiable aspects of the critique against Rep. Omar to lead to a reflexive position where we silence active criticism of the Israeli government, or the worst actions of the State of Israel.”⬇️ https://t.co/SHVVh9v9IW
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) February 14, 2019
👇👇👇👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/WOcB2Ht5PD
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) February 13, 2019
I think much of the criticism of her is valid, but there’s truth here too. https://t.co/9Bl6xnagZU
— (((Joshua Malina))) (@JoshMalina) February 11, 2019
If you are expressing outrage about antisemitic comments from a Democratic politician, but said nothing about the president repeating the same antisemitic conspiracy theory about wealthy Jews funding the "caravan" that motivated the Pittsburgh shooter, gay kaken ofn yahm!
— Bill Prady (@billprady) February 12, 2019
Those Charlotesville Tiki Torch patriots chanted "Jews will not replace us,"
Your boss called them "very fine people."
You said nothing.
But @IlhanMN is brown, female & Muslim, and you know what the base likes.
Your umbrage is as selective as your Christianity. https://t.co/OAbneEsll4— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) February 13, 2019
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.