On Tuesday, Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) once again found herself at the center of controversy as she retweeted images of dead children from Gaza, claiming they were the victims of the recent Israel-Hamas conflict. However, it was soon revealed that the photos were not recent and were, in fact, from 2013 and depicted Syrian children who had been gassed by President Bashar al-Assad.
This latest incident only adds to the growing reputation of Rep. Omar as the most disgraceful member of Congress. Her history of spewing anti-Semitic statements and false information is well-documented, and this recent retweet only serves to reinforce it.
#BREAKING: According to OSINT researchers, the explosion in question seems to have come from a source on the ground, not an airstrike.
The Palestinian propaganda machine is in full swing, folks. https://t.co/j2UjLZOFPh pic.twitter.com/MYj5kKkEw4
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) October 14, 2023
The Israel-Hamas conflict has been rife with propaganda from both sides, with each using tragic images to gain sympathy and support. However, what sets Ms. Omar’s retweet apart is the fact that she shared an image from a completely different and unrelated conflict, misleading her followers and the public.
In addition to this incident, Ms. Omar has a long history of problematic statements and actions. Most notably, she has been known for her anti-Semitic remarks, accusing Israel of “hypnotizing” the world and using language that many have deemed anti-Jewish. She has also been vocal in her support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel.
These are smokescreen rounds. @Amnesty are gratuitous liars who care only about advancing a narrative at the behest of their donors. https://t.co/Q6YFf1UaQM
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) October 14, 2023
But perhaps the most controversial incident involving Ms. Omar was her reluctance to call the 9/11 attacks for what they were. In a now-infamous speech, she controversially said that “some people did something” on 9/11, causing widespread backlash and accusations of downplaying the severity of the terrorist attacks.
It is concerning that a sitting member of Congress, who is supposed to represent the people and uphold the values of the United States, continues to engage in such offensive and misleading behavior. It raises questions about her true intentions and whether she is truly fit for the role she holds.
Ilhan Omar has reposted an image purported to be from Gaza but is actually a 2013 image of child victims of the Assad regime’s Eastern Ghouta gas attack.
This is a sitting Congresswoman. I have absolutely no words. pic.twitter.com/To3qrHIGP3
— Kareem Rifai (@KareemRifai) October 14, 2023
In response to the backlash, Ms. Omar has since deleted the retweet and issued a statement claiming that she was not aware of the origins of the images. However, many have pointed out that a simple reverse image search could have easily revealed the truth.
This latest incident serves as a reminder that public figures, especially members of Congress, have a responsibility to fact-check and use their platform responsibly. False and inflammatory information only serves to further divide and harm society, and it is crucial for leaders to set a better example.
