Rashida Tlaib comments: Ilhan Omar defends colleague amid 'holocaust' controversy

Ms Tlaib has been attacked by Republicans for saying she gets a 'calming feeling' when she thinks about the 'tragedy of the Holocaust'

(AFP/Getty Images)

Representative Ilhan Omar has come to the defence of her colleague Rashida Tlaib, after the former made controversial remarks about the Holocaust.

Ms Omar claimed that Ms Tlaib’s critics were attempting to silence her by attacking her over comments she made to Yahoo News, where she said she gets “a calming feeling” when she thinks of the “tragedy of the Holocaust” and the suffering of Palestinians.

“I think we are seeing what happens when people really see these kind of attacks for what they are. It is designed to silence, sideline, and sort of almost eliminate [the] public voice of Muslims from the public discourse,” Ms Omar told MSNBC host Chris Hayes.

She continued: “I'm really excited that we have an opportunity to build alliances and push back and fight this attempt to marginalize our community's voice.”

After the publication of the Yahoo News podcast with Ms Tlaib’s remarks, a firestorm was instantly ignited online, with Republicans claiming that the Michigan lawmaker was describing her personal feelings about the genocide.

Democrats, meanwhile, have largely come to her defence, even among top ranking officials in the party.

“Republicans’ desperate attempts to smear @RepRashida & misrepresent her comments are outrageous,” tweeted Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House. “President @realDonaldTrump & House GOP should apologize to Rep. Tlaib & the American people for their gross misrepresentations.”

Bernie Sanders, who is a leading contender for the Democratic nomination, also weighed in to support her.

Support free-thinking journalism and subscribe to Independent Mindsport Ms Tlaib.

“Mr. President: Stop dividing the American people up by their religion, their race or their country of origin—and stop your ugly attacks against Muslim women in Congress. You are taking Rep. @RashidaTlaib's comments out of context and should apologize,“ he tweeted.