IfNotNow Twin Cities and all people on the side of freedom and justice stand with Ilhan Omar in her response to U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's pledge to take "action" against those who criticize Israel's policy of violence and occupation.

Omar's outspoken criticism of AIPAC is the type of bold moral clarity we need in Congress. AIPAC has spent millions to directly support policies that enable endless occupation in Israel/Palestine. They have hosted Donald Trump and Mike Pence to thunderous applause. And thousands of young American Jews have already demonstrated that AIPAC doesn't speak for them.

Sign the petition to show that American Jews stand with Ilhan, and that AIPAC doesn't speak for us.

We know that AIPAC is one part of a broader pro-Israel-at-all-costs ideology represented quietly by Evangelical Christian groups like Christians United for Israel, and a broader ecosystem of groups profiting from the status quo in Israel/Palestine, like military weapons manufacturers. We urge our elected representatives to take notice whenever dangerous pro-occupation ideas are espoused, regardless of who is behind it.

As a refugee, a Muslim, and a woman of color, Omar is facing xenophobia, Islamophobia, and misogyny, in addition to criticism from the right-wing Jewish establishment for her failure to toe the line on Israel/Palestine. The disproportionate blowback against her is reflective more of these prejudices than it is of a desire to truly combat anti-Semitism.

As progressive Jews, we stand opposed to racism, anti-Semitism, and all forms of oppression. We stand with Omar in her fight for freedom and dignity for all people, and we demand that Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic Party Leadership retract their statement criticizing Omar and conflating support for Israel with opposition to anti-Semitism.

As Jews, we know that critique of Israel is not intrinsically anti-Semitic, and we know that organizations and politicians that support Israel can do so while also perpetuating language and policy that endanger Jews.

Sign the petition to show Pelosi and the Democratic Leadership that critique of Israel is not anti-Semitism, and that you stand with Ilhan on the side of freedom and dignity.