Letter | Why Ilhan Omar’s Opposition To Sanctions Against Turkey Makes Sense

Representative Ilhan Omar Image by Getty Images
Dear Editor,
Daniella Greenbaum Davis bases her article “Ilhan Omar Just Came Out Against Sanctions. So Why Does She Support BDS?” on two incorrect assumptions, erecting a polemic on quicksand.
Rep. Omar’s opposition to sanctions on Turkey might be due to Trump’s erratic nature of sanctioning. As we have seen with so many prior examples, there is little evidence that he knows what he is doing (eg, raising tariffs, etc). She still might support sanctions by someone of greater sanity, or under different geopolitical situations.
Secondly, The S in BDS does not refer only to governments. Sports associations sanction, academic organizations sanction, etc. One could be against governments sanctioning and still in favor of other forms of sanctions.
The author, however, seems too ready to jump to the conclusion that Rep Omar is anti-Semitic and to beat the drum loudly marching in that parade. For this Jew, it just isn’t proven.
Sincerely,
Philip L. Bereano
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