Democrats’ Ilhan Omar defence weakened by party’s own attacks over Israel

Ilhan Omar at the Capitol on Thursday. The resolution to remove her from foreign affairs paid scant attention to her views on anything other than Israel. Photograph: Tom Brenner/Reuters

The resolution that set in motion the removal of the only African immigrant, Muslim and former resident of a refugee camp on the congressional committee overseeing US foreign policy paid scant attention to Ilhan Omar’s views on anything but a single issue: Israel.

“Omar has attempted to undermine the relationship between the United States and Israel,” said the author of the resolution, Republican congressman Max Miller. “She has disqualified herself from serving on the foreign affairs committee.”