Hussein Ibish, Columnist

Ilhan Omar Is Hurting the Palestinian Cause

It’s easy to be anti-Israel. But serious work, not divisive words, is what’s needed to make a difference.

Focus!

Photographer: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
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Freshman Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar has wasted no time making a name for herself by generating a controversy about the motivations of pro-Israel organizations, individuals and politicians in Washington.

But here’s one group that will not benefit from the brouhaha resulting from Omar’s repeated use of familiar anti-Semitic themes, most recently questioning the loyalty of American Zionists: the Palestinians themselves. It’s a painful reminder that being anti-Israel is different from being pro-Palestinian.