Just as antisemitism is on the rise in the U.S. and around the world, so is Islamaphobia and Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Maxwell Frost are standing in solidarity against such hate speech and violence.
During a press conference to announce a resolution she penned addressing Islamaphobia, Rep. Omar spoke about the “epidemic” that was occurring around the world, and appears to equate antisemitism to Islamaphobia.
“There is Increasing terror and attacks against our Muslim brothers and sisters across this country and around the world,” said Rep. Omar who focused on white supremacy as the cause for the increase in violence and hate speech against Muslims.
Freshman Congressman Maxwell Frost (D), echoed the “white supremacy” narrative Reps. Tlaib and Omar were driving home.
“The rise of Islamaphobia around the country especially in my home state of Florida,” said Rep. Frost. “And it’s no surprise as to why this is happening.”
Rep. Frost, who said he was recommitting himself to the “fight against Islamaphobia,” took a shot at his House Republican colleagues, adding that the “far right extreme brand of our government” has continuously been fueling “hate” around the country.
The Floridian asked Rep. Omar if the Islamophobia she was referring to could be “equated to the rise in antisemitism,” and if she would speak out against antisemitism and anti-Israeli sentiment, Omar said there were “two sides of the same coin,” and that she stood in solidarity against antisemitism.
Omar says her legislative measure addresses antisemitism.
Rep. Tlaib, who believes there is “systemic Islamaphobia by governments,” offered her take on the issue, telling the story of one of the children once indicated that maybe he should hide his Muslim faith for fear of ridicule and persecution, referring to Islam as ”a peaceful faith.”
“We know if they are antisemitic, most likely they are Islamophobic. That’s one thing that brings all of our communities and faiths, and diversity together, is the fact that we know that white supremacy is coming after all of us,” said Rep. Tlaib.
Tlaib and Omar, who support the controversial anti-Israel BDS Movement, believe that the racism against Islam stems from the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory that nonwhite people are being brought into the US to replace white voters.
Omar introduced pro-BDS legislation in 2019, which was summarily panned
In September 2022, Tlaib was excoriated by Jewish-American Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D) for promoting a "antisemitic" litmus test on Israel.
"The outrageous progressive litmus test on Israel by @RashidaTlaib is nothing short of antisemitic. Proud progressives do support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. Suggesting otherwise is shameful and dangerous. Divisive rhetoric does not lead to peace," stated Rep. Wasserman Schultz.
While there is a rise in both antisemitism and Islamaphobia around the world, it pales in comparison to the anti-Jewish mindset that so many more people have.
