US House Democats delay anti-Semitic resolution amid pressure

So, that is why this question is being raised and being dealt with and being discussed," he said, adding that he did not think Omar was anti-Semitic.Omar, an African, Muslim, American immigrant, has been under fire for weeks over what has been labelled as anti-Semitic rhetoric.Controversy swirled around Omar first last month when she suggested pro-Israel politicians in the US were being influenced by the lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), who advocate pro-Israel policies. In the wake of the comments, the House passed a resolution condemning anti-Semitism, and Omar apologised.But the Somali American politician is under fire again for making comments during a discussion at a Washington, DC, event last week that some politicians and Jewish groups called "anti-Semitic"."I want to talk about … political influence in this country that says it's OK for people to push for allegiance for a foreign country," Omar said at the event."I want to ask why is it OK for me to talk about the influence of the NRA, or fossil fuels industries, or big pharma, and not talk about a powerful lobbying that is influencing policy," she said.Her comments prompted Jonathan Greenblatt, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League, to write a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, accusing Omar of using a "vile anti-Semitic slur".Others, including Representatives Eliot Engel and Nita Lowey have joined Greenblatt in publicly criticising Omar and demanding an apology.Omar and her supporters, which includes Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, among others, contend her comments were in reference to Israeli lobbyists and not the Jewish community.Pelosi and Hoyer began drafting the second resolution over the weekend, but by Tuesday night it appeared they decided to postpone any vote while they consider amending the text to include language addressing all forms of hate and bigotry.The controversy came just days after Omar was the subject of an anti-Muslim attack in the West Virginia legislature, where a poster falsely linking her to the 9/11 attacks was on display at a Republican-sponsored gathering.The poster with a picture of the twin towers burning and Omar's face in front of it, said, "I am the proof you have forgotten".