David Duke Defends Ilhan Omar From Anti-Semitism Accusations

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By Alyssa Fisher February 11, 2019

Ilhan Omar had an unlikely defender on Monday amid the debate over whether her remarks about AIPAC were anti-Semitic: David Duke.

Duke, a Holocaust denier and the former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, tried to back up Omar’s false claim that AIPAC pays politicians to be pro-Israel. “The most powerful political moneybags in American politics are Zionists,” he tweeted.

So, let us get this straight. It is “Anti-Semitism” to point out that the most powerful political moneybags in American politics are Zionists who put another nation’s interest (israel’s) over that of America ?????? https://t.co/2e1QbIxOGp

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— David Duke (@DrDavidDuke) February 11, 2019

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Jewish Democrats in the House of Representatives and former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton all criticized Omar’s remarks for their echoing of anti-Semitic tropes that Jews use money to control politics. Omar later apologized.

Listening and learning, but standing strong ?? pic.twitter.com/7TSroSf8h1

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) February 11, 2019

Duke previously tried to insert himself into the political conversation last week, when he endorsed the Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for president. Gabbard quickly denounced him and rejected the endorsement.

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at fisher@forward.com, or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher

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