Rep. Ilhan Omar has been called out for sharing a misleading social media post that featured dead children in Syria whom she claimed were killed in Gaza by Israel.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee pointed out that the Minnesota Democrat reposted a message that said “CHILD GENOCIDE IN PALESTINE” and “614 Palestinian children murdered by the Israeli [IDF] Forces” on Saturday.
A community note on X clarified that the photo was not from the fighting between Israel and Hamas but was from a 2013 sarin gas attack in Syria. The post has since been removed.
AIPAC was prompted to share Ms. Omar’s post after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted on X calling on people to check the information they see on the internet about the Israel-Hamas war.
“The level of misinformation in all directions at this moment is incredibly high, especially on this platform,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez wrote. “If you see a claim, photo, or video that triggers a strong emotional reaction, take a moment to pause and check for veracity/confirmation from multiple sources.”
AIPAC shot back by sharing Ms. Omar’s repost and said: “You mean like this, @AOC?”
“@IlhanMN is spreading dangerous misinformation, blaming Israel for killing kids who were killed by Assad in Syria 10 years ago. Once again, the Squad doesn’t let the facts get in the way of their anti-Israel narrative,” AIPAC posted.
The “Squad” refers to the far-left House Democrats. Both Ms. Omar and Ms. Ocasio-Cortez are considered to be a part of it.
The squad has been called out for their stances on the Israel-Hamas war. Many called for stopping aid to Israel, prompting pro-Israel lawmakers to respond.
“To the Squad, shut the hell up,” Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Republican, said last week on Fox News. “You’re emboldening the enemy. You’re a disgrace to the United States Congress. You’re siding with terrorists over a democracy called Israel. You have lost your perspective here. I’m confident most Democrats do not agree with the Squad.”
The Washington Times has reached out to Ms. Omar’s office.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.