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Ilhan Omar Admits ‘Israel Hypnotizes The World’ Tweet Was ‘Ugly’

Rep. Ilhan Omar

Ilhan Omar Image by Getty Images

Representative Ilhan Omar has apologized for a tweet she wrote in 2012, in which she said that “Israel has hypnotized the world” during the war with Gaza.

The Minnesota congresswoman acknowledged Monday that she prioritized putting her tweet into context rather than condemning the offensive language.

“In all sincerity, it was after my CNN interview that I heard from Jewish orgs. that my use of the word ‘Hypnotize’ and the ugly sentiment it holds was offensive,” she tweeted.

Then she returned to her usual rhetoric, saying she “will not shy away of criticism of any government when I see injustice — whether it be Saudi Arabia, Somalia, even our own government!”

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher

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