Kalman Yeger Sparks Fierce Twitter Battle
by Monsey.info
A fierce Twitter battle is in full swing now following a tweet from NYC Councilman Kalman Yeger, who was responding to a tweet by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
Omar tweeted:
At this year’s AIPAC conference, the topic PM Netanyahu chose to focus on was…me.https://t.co/HbomAHmh9Y — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 26, 2019
Ilhan was most likely referring to the part of Netanyahu’s speech that said “So I have a message to all the antisemites out there – whether they live in modern Persia, in the palaces of Tehran or the bunkers of Beirut; whether they march through the streets of Charlottesville or murder worshippers in a synagogue in Pittsburgh; whether they voice their hatred in political parties in Britain, or Europe, or the United States…
The Jewish people do not bow down. We stand up. We fight. And we win.
My friends, ladies and gentlemen, some people will just never get it. They’ll never understand why the vast majority of Americans – Jews and non-Jews alike – support Israel. Take it from this Benjamin, it’s not about the Benjamins.”
Councilman Yeger responded:
You’re an antisemite and a member of Congress. It’s not strange that you’d be mentioned. Anyway, what are you complaining about? It’s what you want. https://t.co/e5XTRixub5 — Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger) March 26, 2019
This prompted a flurry of condemnation, as well as support from politicians:
Brooklyn is home to one of largest Palestinian communities. It’s irresponsible & dangerous to engage in this blatant bigotry. I’m Palestinian, I exist & so does my community. Yeger needs to be removed from the Immigration Committee & apologize publicly to Palestinian New Yorkers. https://t.co/lFupO3prwd — Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) March 27, 2019
A two-state solution is the best hope for peace. I challenge anyone who thinks the State of Israel shouldn’t exist. But the same goes for anyone who would deny Palestinians a home. https://t.co/3JvnS4UOhm — Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 27, 2019
I condemn this irresponsible and divisive rhetoric unequivocally. We will only achieve peace if we acknowledge each other’s inherent dignity. Council Member @KalmanYeger should apologize now. https://t.co/fmiDkjj68K — Scott M. Stringer (@NYCComptroller) March 27, 2019
We should all be working towards a peaceful two state solution for Israel and Palestine that respects the dignity of both the Palestinian and Israeli people. pic.twitter.com/0Ypsp9QfFT — NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson (@NYCSpeakerCoJo) March 27, 2019
To discount & dismiss an entire group of ppl is completely destructive & not something an elected official in the world’s most diverse city should spout. Yeger’s comments are painful to individuals & the cause of a two state solution & peace. I urge him to immediately apologize. https://t.co/UHn5038Hwb — Jumaane Williams (@JumaaneWilliams) March 27, 2019
.@lsarsour chants “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free” – erasing Israel from the map, and she’s calling for @KalmanYeger to resign bc he stated the historically factual truth? NO! He won’t resign! And NO, he is not wrong just because SarSOUR wants him to be! https://t.co/S4gIIYcrJh — Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) March 27, 2019
Anyone who lectures us on dangerous bigotry while promoting @Ilhan & Farrakhan’s indefensible antisemitism is a hypocrite. Sarsour has exploited her platform to divide instead of unite. The pursuit of mutual respect should always be our goal but we demand equal standards for all. https://t.co/7OEdLU1HAO — Chaskel Bennett (@ChaskelBennett) March 27, 2019
