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
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30
