Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) each released statements on Wednesday condemning anti-Semitism, but also raising concerns about the way House Democratic leadership has handled it’s rebuke of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) over her anti-Israel comments.
All three senators are also 2020 presidential contenders.
Sanders, who is Jewish, said there is room for “legitimate criticism of the right-wing, Netanyahu government in Israel” without equating that criticism with anti-Semitism.
Harris also rebuked anti-Semitism, while raising concerns about putting the “spotlight” on a black woman.
“We should be having a sound, respectful discussion about policy,” she said.
Warren made similar comments and touched on the threats Omar has received since the controversy spilled open.
“Branding criticism of Israel as automatically anti-Semitic has a chilling effect on our public discourse and makes it harder to achieve a peaceful solution between Israelis and Palestinians,” she said. “Threats of violence — like those made against Rep. Omar — are never acceptable.“
