US President Donald Trump on Friday accused the Democratic Party of being "anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli" after heated debates sparked by a Muslim deputy´s comments on US support for Israel.
The House of Representatives, which is dominated by Democrats on Thursday, approved a resolution condemning "hate" speeches, but does not specifically condemn the statements of deputy Elhan Omar, the only woman wearing the headscarf on the council.
Trump is stepping up attacks on the woman from Minnesota, whose comments are strained within the Democratic Party, calling the vote "flawed."
"The Democrats have become an anti-Israel party, an anti-Jewish party, which is very unfortunate," he said in White House gardens before heading to Alabama to inspect hurricane victims.
Trump was previously charged for his ambivalent remarks about a rally for supporters of white supremacy in Charlottesville in 2017. This has raised concern in his camp.
He also achieved Israel´s desire by moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Democrat MP Eileen Luria said Trump´s accusations were misplaced.
"History and Thursday´s vote overwhelmingly condemn anti-Semitism, there is strong support for Israel and Jewish faith among the Democrats," she told AFP.
Ilhan Omar, the only veiled MP and one of the first Muslim deputies to be elected to parliament, was seen last week as saying that some lobbyists and parliamentarians were encouraging "loyalty to a foreign country."
A former refugee from Somalia refers to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the main pro-Israel lobby group in the United States.
Several voices immediately rose, condemning remarks that recalled her accusations of "double loyalties" historically directed at Jews as "unfaithful" to the country in which they live.
On Thursday, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a resolution condemning the "hate speech" after sharp debate within the Democratic Party on anti-Semitism.
The text, which does not include any reference to MP Omar, was approved by a majority of 407 votes and the opposition of 23 deputies, all Republican, in addition to the vote of one of the deputies "present".
"It condemns anti-Semitism as a hateful expression of intolerance that is contrary to the values ​​and aspirations of the American people, condemns discrimination against Muslims and intolerance against any minority," Omar said.
In February, Umar argued that AIPAC was financing "American political officials to be pro-Israel," which Democratic Democrat Elliott Engels denounced as quoting "anti-Semitic rhetoric about Jewish money."
The MP apologized at the time "without any confusion."
In response to the controversy, Democratic leaders initially put forward a resolution condemning exclusively anti-Semitism, but some members of the party denounced the issue, saying that Elhan Omar was particularly targeted because she was a woman, black and Muslim.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that Elhan Omar "did not appreciate the potential dimensions" of her speech, "but I do not think her intention was anti-Semitism, but the fact is that we have to dispel all doubts."
Democrat Ted Deutch said the deputy´s words "suggest that Jews like me ... are not loyal Americans" to their country.
Before voting in favor of the resolution, a number of Democrats expressed disappointment that the condemnation was not limited to anti-Semitism.
