By Donald H. Harrison
THE OMAR AFFAIR– Responding to a comment by Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota that Members of Congress support Israel because “It’s all about the Benjamins,” that is $100 bills, and that AIPAC pays the members to vote for Israel, Matt Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, called for Omar to be removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Further, said Brooks, the House should pass a resolution (HR 72) brought by Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York to denounce individuals for anti-Semitism including Omar, Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farakhan, and white supremacist Robert Bowers. Subsequently, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of the Democratic leadership called upon Omar to apologize. In a statement, they said: “Legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies is protected by the values of free speech and democratic debate that the United States and Israel share. But Congresswoman Omar’s use of anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations about Israel’s supporters is deeply offensive. We condemn these remarks and we call upon Congresswoman Omar to immediately apologize for these hurtful comments.” Faced with denunciations from both sides of the aisle, Omar issued this apology: “Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes. My intention is never to offend my constituents or Jewish Americans as a whole. We have to always be willing to step back and think through criticism, just as I expect people to hear me when others attack me for my identity. This is why I unequivocally apologize. At the same time, I reaffirm the problematic role of lobbyists in our politics, whether it be AIPAC, the NRA or the fossil fuel industry. It’s gone on too long and we must be willing to address it.” That statement did not please Amanda Berman, executive director of Zioness, who said, “There is no reasonable comparison between lobbying entities like the NRA and the fossil fuel industry––organizations focused on leveraging influence to generate profit––and a nonprofit organization advocating for the security of a marginalized community. There are approximately 14.5 million Jews on the face of the earth––about 6.5 million of which live in Israel––representing roughly .02 percent of the entire global population. Jews who engage on this issue are doing so to protect ourselves from legitimate threats of extermination.”
NATIONAL/ INTERNATIONAL — Jared Kushner, a White House senior advisor and son-in-law of President Trump, is expected to give an update on the administration’s proposed Middle East plan at an upcoming conference in Warsaw, although full details won’t be released until after Israel’s April 9 elections. The plan reportedly includes recognition of Palestine as an independent country with a capital in East Jerusalem, and continued Israeli sovereignty over settlements in Judea and Samaria, but this has not been confirmed by the White House. … The attorney for the National Enquirer, Elkan Abramowitz, appeared on ABC’s This Week on Sunday to rebut allegations that his client had blackmailed or extorted Amazon owner Jeff Bezos by offering not to print revealing photos of him if he would agree to stop investigating the National Enquirer and to declare that publication’s efforts were not politically motivated. According to the Associated Press, Abramowitz said: “It’s absolutely not a crime to ask somebody to simply tell the truth. Tell the truth that this was not politically motivated, and we will print no more stories.” … Teachers in Denver went on strike today in a dispute over pay and premiums paid for teachers who work in underprivileged schools. Gov. Jared Polis said he will not intervene unless the strike continues on for too long. … Andrea Levin, executive director of CAMERA, has raised alarms over refusal by the Newton, Massachusetts, School Committee to make public what is being taught about Israel in the classrooms. “At a November public hearing, the school committee voted unanimously against transparency–that is, against allowing the public to know what materials are being used in the classroom,” she told the Jewish News Syndicate.
ISRAEL MATTERS – Physicist Uri Sivan, a pioneer in the field of using DNA molecules to form a conductive wire, has been selected as president of The Technion in Haifa. Formal appointment is expected at a meeting of the Board of Governors in June.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY – Susan Davis and Mike Levin, both Democrats, are part of San Diego County’s five-member congressional delegation. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Davis, now in her 10th term, is chairing a subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment, and also has been assigned to the House Administration Committee in addition to her longstanding membership of the House Armed Services Committee. Levin, a freshman, will chair a subcommittee on economic opportunity of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and also will work on a House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. He also has pulled together a task force to determine the best way to dispose of waste materials from the San Onofre Nuclear Power Station. … Ken Stone and Chris Stone of the Times of San Diego reports City Councilwoman Jennifer Campbell was in attendance at a “Love Your Wetlands Day” hosted by the San Diego Audobon Society and the UC Natural Reserve System on a 21-acre parcel adjoining Mission Bay. “This is part of saving our planet,” they quoted Campbell as saying. “Please keep it up. We’re just gonna progress and progress and do better and better.” …
SIMCHAS – Natan Sharansky, the Soviet dissident who later became an Israeli MK and head of the Jewish Agency, was released from Soviet captivity 33 years ago today. … Actress Tina Louise, who played the beautiful “Ginger” in the Gilligan’s Island television series, is 81 years old today.
ENTERTAINMENT – Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy, got a cold reception at the Grammy Awards Sunday night in response to his comment last year that female vocalists need to “step up.” Last year’s winners were predominantly male Caucasians. This year a racially mixed group of female singers dominated the awards, prompting Best New Artist Dua Lipa to comment, “I just wanted to say how honored I am to be nominated alongside so many incredible female artists this year because I guess this year we really stepped up.” For his part, to tepid applause, Portnow in a farewell address, said, “This past year I’ve been reminded that if coming face-to-face with an issue opens your eyes wide enough, it makes you more committed than ever to help address those issues. The need for social change has been a hallmark of the American experience, from the founding of our country to the complex times we live in today. So we must seize this unique moment to bring change within our own industry to ensure that there is diversity and inclusion in all that we do. And we will.” … Having visited the Jewish Community Center in Pittsburgh, actress Mayim Bialik of The Big Bang Theory television series, flew to Houston where she attempted to catch a connecting flight to Los Angeles. She said in a Tweet that a flight attendant slammed a door in her face, after letting five other passengers on a plane that had sufficient seating for all of them. United Airlines, which put her on the next Los Angeles flight, said it would investigate her complaint. … Israeli pianist Ilya Laskin and Israeli violinist Tal First will concertize together at Congregation Beth El at 7 p.m. on March 10, according to July Galper of the America Israel Cultural Foundation. She may be reached at (619) 823-9208.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com