Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan set tongues a-wagging this week when he urged Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar not to apologize for her recent remarks on Israel, defending the Somali-American lawmaker against claims that her comments were anti-Semitic.
Farrakhan, 85, delivered his keynote address at the annual Nation of Islam Saviour’s Day Convention in Chicago on Sunday, during which he expressed happiness at the more than 100 women members of Congress before turning his attention to Omar.
“Ms. Omar from Somalia — she started talking about ‘the Benjamins’ and they are trying to make her apologize. Sweetheart, don’t do that,” he said during the address. “Pardon me for calling you sweetheart, but you do have a sweet heart. You sure are using it to shake the government up, but you have nothing to apologize for.”
Omar came under fire earlier last week for her comments criticizing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). In a tweet, she argued it was simply “all about the Benjamins” for many of her pro-Israel colleagues, and said she believed AIPAC was paying politicians to support Israel. The freshmen congresswoman later apologized amid pressure from Democratic leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who accused her of using “anti-Semitic tropes” and making “prejudicial accusations” about those who support Israel.
Farrakhan took no issue with Omar’s statements, saying, “Israel and AIPAC pays off senators and congressmen to do their bidding, so you’re not lying. So if you’re not lying, stop laying down. You were sent there by the people to shake up that corrupt House.”
The Muslim leader, who’s taken heat for his own anti-Semitic comments in the past, went on to mock Omar’s Democratic defenders who chalked up her comments to a lack of knowledge on the historic plight of the Jewish community.
“Oh she’s just young. She just got here. Don’t be so hard on her,’” Farrakhan said, poking fun at her allies. “My beautiful sisters, you were sent there to shake that House up. Your people voted you in, but God is the overseer.”
His remarks drew plenty of reactions from conservatives who were eager to malign Farrakhan and Omar.
“Just when Pelosi thought things had quieted down from the AOC/Amazon debacle. She’s probably chugging whiskey right about now,” one person wrote. Another added, “Yay Louis Farrakhan. I love the new Democrats. Can we say 100 year Republican President.”
“Omar is in good company now,” one user wrote. “Almost like having the Triple K, Muslim Brotherhood or Neo-Notsees defending her.”
“Farrakhan is one of the most bigoted human beings on the planet,” someone else chimed in. “Omar and her friends won’t be satisfied until our current government is overthrown and talk of Sharia Law replacing our Constitution. These socialist Jihadist and supporters of Hamas can stomp their feet all they want because the reality of it all is you got 2 more years of conservative values while Trump is in office.”
One user pointed out that, “the dem leaders condemned Omar, but I am yet to see a single one actually deny what she said.”
Watch more in the video below.
