Ilhan Omar Wins Primary Amidst Growing Tensions Over Israel Stance

Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a prominent figure on the progressive left and a key member of the “Squad,” secured a victory in her primary race on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. Despite facing significant opposition, particularly due to her vocal criticism of Israel and strong pro-Palestinian stance, Omar managed to prevail in what has been a turbulent political summer for the ultraliberal faction of the Democratic Party.

Omar, 41, who is seeking her fourth term in Congress, ran against three opponents, including Don Samuels, a former Minneapolis City Council member. Samuels posed a significant challenge, coming within 2,500 votes of defeating Omar in the 2022 primary. However, unlike several other Democratic primary contests this year, Omar’s race did not attract large amounts of campaign spending from outside her district, which has been a common occurrence in races involving members of the Squad.

This victory comes at a time when the Squad, a group of progressive lawmakers that includes Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, is facing mounting challenges. The group, known for its outspoken advocacy on issues like social justice, climate change, and Palestinian rights, has also drawn sharp criticism from within the Democratic Party and from external pro-Israel groups.

Omar’s win is particularly notable given the defeats suffered by two other Squad members earlier this year. Representative Jamaal Bowman of New York and Representative Cori Bush of Missouri both lost their primary battles in June and August, respectively, after pro-Israel groups invested millions of dollars to influence those races. The losses have deepened the rift within the Democratic Party over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, with some viewing the Squad’s criticism of Israel as divisive and counterproductive.

Omar’s path to victory was not without its difficulties. Throughout her tenure in Congress, she has been a lightning rod for controversy, particularly over her comments regarding Israel. In 2023, House Republicans voted along party lines to remove her from the Foreign Affairs Committee, citing past remarks that were widely condemned as antisemitic. This move was seen by many as part of a broader Republican effort to marginalize progressive voices within the Democratic Party.

In April of this year, Omar again found herself at the center of a controversy when she expressed support for pro-Palestinian protesters at an encampment at Columbia University. The protest, which included several students who were later suspended, sparked a backlash when Omar suggested that some Jewish students were “pro-genocide.” Her comments drew criticism from both sides of the political aisle, further fueling the debate over her role in the Democratic Party and her stance on Israel.

Omar’s political career has been marked by both her strong advocacy for progressive causes and the intense scrutiny she has faced as a result. Born in Somalia, she is one of two Muslim women in the House and the first Somali-American to serve in Congress.

However, her tenure has not been without challenges. Omar has faced repeated attacks from Republicans, most notably from former President Donald Trump, who infamously told her and three other Squad members in 2019 to “go back” to their countries, despite the fact that all but Omar were born in the United States.

As Omar prepares for the general election, her victory in the primary solidifies her position as a leading voice in the progressive movement, but also underscores the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party over Israel, Palestine, and the broader direction of the party. While Omar’s win is a testament to her resilience and the support she enjoys within her district, it also highlights the deepening fissures within the party that will likely continue to play out in future elections.