A newly elected US congresswoman accused of employing an antisemitic trope about money has “unequivocally” apologised after an avalanche of criticism and a rebuke from the highest levels of her own party. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat, had tweeted about her belief the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobby group, was paying US politicians to support Israel. “Legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies is protected by the values of free speech and democratic debate that the United States and Israel share,” Ms Pelosi said in a statement issued by her office and signed by other Democratic leaders.
