(PatriotNewsDaily.com) – Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, retracted her earlier statements in which she held Israel accountable for the explosion at a medical facility in Gaza, yet she refrained from formally apologizing.
In the incident’s immediate aftermath, numerous influential progressives and media figures were quick to accept Hamas’ assertion that the devastation was the result of an Israeli airstrike, allegedly leading to the death of hundreds of civilians in the hospital.
Contrary to these claims, both the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Biden administration clarified that the explosion was actually due to a rocket fired inaccurately by the Islamic Jihad, not an act by the Israeli military. This clarification came only after the initial misinformation had triggered global indignation and protests in various nations.
Addressing the issue, Omar clarified that her office had previously referred to an Associated Press article implicating the IDF in the attack on a Gaza hospital. However, subsequent information from both the IDF and U.S. intelligence contradicted this account, emphasizing the unreliability of information during the conflict, particularly on platforms like X, where misinformation can spread unchecked. She stressed the importance of relying on credible sources and remaining open to new information as it emerges.
Furthermore, Omar highlighted the necessity for an exhaustive, independent inquiry to definitively establish the party responsible for this serious violation of international law.
Initially, Omar had severely criticized Israel, responding to a news flash by The Associated Press which suggested that an Israeli airstrike had caused a catastrophic explosion at a Gaza hospital, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinian civilians.
Despite retracting her statement, Omar’s original post remained visible on X, attracting significant attention and scrutiny. The post, viewed over 10 million times, was flagged with Community Notes clarifying that President Joe Biden had acknowledged the explosion likely resulted from a Hamas rocket misfire.
Critics did not hesitate to express their discontent with Omar’s stance on the issue.
Organizations and individuals, including AIPAC, journalists, and educators, criticized Omar for initially disseminating what they viewed as propaganda and then attempting to shift the blame onto the media. They accused her of irresponsibly sharing unverified information, arguing that her actions were unbecoming of a U.S. Congress member.
Others, including contributors to various media outlets, expressed frustration with the absence of a direct apology from Omar, considering her acknowledgment of the misinformation insufficient.
In contrast to Omar’s retraction, Representative Rashida Tlaib, also a Democrat from Michigan and a fellow “Squad” member, persisted in her accusations against Israel during a pro-Palestinian demonstration, even after President Biden had dismissed the claims.
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