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Ilhan Omar equates U.S. and Israel to Taliban and Hamas that committed ‘unthinkable atrocities’

June 8, 2021 | | Print Article

Squad member Ilhan Omar sent out a tweet on Monday that shared a video showing her questioning Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a congressional hearing while appearing to compare the U.S. and Israel to the Taliban and Hamas.

Rep. Omar (D-MN) accused both countries of committing “crimes against humanity” and “unthinkable atrocities” in her tweet: “We must have the same level of accountability and justice for all victims of crimes against humanity. We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban. I asked @SecBlinken where people are supposed to go for justice.”

Hamas is a designated terrorist organization and the Taliban is seen as an extremist organization. In reality, both are terrorist groups and that is apparently what Omar is claiming the United States and Israel are as well.

“I know you oppose the court’s investigation in both Palestine and in Afghanistan. I haven’t seen any evidence in either cases that domestic courts can, both can and will prosecute alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Omar said to Blinken in the congressional hearing.

“And I would emphasize that in Israel and Palestine, this includes crimes committed by both Israeli security forces, and Hamas. In Afghanistan, it includes crimes committed by the Afghan national government and the Taliban,” she continued. “So in both of these cases, if domestic courts can’t or won’t pursue justice, and we oppose the ICC, where do we think the victims of the supposed that crimes can go for justice? In both of these cases, if domestic courts can’t or won’t see justice, and we oppose the ICC, where do we think victims are supposed to go for justice? And what justice mechanisms do you support for them?”

Blinken replied to her line of questioning: “Thank you. First, let me just say at the outset, that it is impossible not to be profoundly moved by not just the loss of life in the recent violence and conflict, but especially the children whose lives were lost. And we all have a, you know, tendency to throw statistics and numbers out there, but we were talking about boys and girls, Israelis and Palestinians, as well as men and women. And I think none of us for whatever, from whatever perspective, we come, can lose sight of that. So that’s one thing that’s very important. Look, I, you know, our views on the ICC, and its jurisdiction, we continue to believe that absent a Security Council referral, or absent the request by the state itself, that that’s not appropriate. I continue to believe that whether it is the United States or Israel, both of us have the means–”

At that point, Omar cut in, saying, “Mr. Secretary, I do understand that point, I’m asking what mechanisms do [inaudible] is available to them?”

“I believe that we have, whether it’s the United States or Israel, we both have the mechanisms to make sure that there’s accountability in any situations where there are concerns about the use of force and human rights, etc.,” Blinken responded. “I believe that both of our democracies have that capacity, and we’ve demonstrated it, and we’ll need to continue to demonstrate it going forward.”

“And in the case of Afghanistan?” Omar pressed on.

Blinken noted vaguely and uncomfortably that there may be justice if it is needed.

“With regard to Afghanistan, if it’s our objection, as you know, it was to the assertion of jurisdiction over the United States in the absence of a Security Council referral. And I believe that we have the means if there are any cases to be brought to, to adjudicate them, and to find justice,” he said.

During the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, Omar contended that Israel was once again guilty of “crimes against humanity” and that the U.S. was equally culpable for backing said crimes and of standing “idly by” while Israel committed them.

“The United States should not stand idly by while crimes against humanity are being committed with our backing,” she said. She accused Israel of “war crimes” even as thousands of missiles were launched at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

“We should all be grateful that a ceasefire will prevent more civilians and children from being killed,” Omar remarked in May. “But now what? We need accountability for every war crime committed.”

“And we need to stop underwriting crimes against humanity while doing nothing to end the occupation,” she added.

Hamas initially launched massive rocket attacks against Israel that resulted in casualties and provoked a response in kind. Israel, however, warned Gaza inhabitants before bombing them.

The ‘Squad’ member’s tweet attacking the U.S. and Israel infuriated individuals on Twitter:

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Terresa Monroe-Hamilton
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