Will Ilhan Omar be the Next Squad Member Pushed Out of Office by Pro-Israel Donors?

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar appears to be the next member of the progressive democratic ‘Squad’ whose campaign is being targeted by pro-Israel donors. 

Pro-Israel groups have their sights, and their monies, set on defeating pro-Palestinian Omar in Minnesota’s open primary later this month. 

Because Minnesota’s primaries are open, voters don’t have to be registered with a specific party to vote. For instance, Independents, Republicans, and Democrats alike can all vote in Omar’s Democratic primary, which takes place on August 13th. 

The groups are backing Omar’s opponent Don Samuels, who has spoken out against Omar’s stance on Palestine and the Minneapolis City Council’s adoption of a symbolic ceasefire resolution.

Samuels’ campaign is now being supported by pro-Israel donors including businessman Jeffrey Schoenfeld and Richard Plutzer of Resource Energy, both of whom have donated a great deal to candidates seeking to oust Squad members. 

Earlier today, Democratic congresswoman Cori Bush, another Squad member and vocal Palestine supporter, was defeated in the Missouri Democratic primary by American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)-backed candidate Wesley Bell.

Last month, Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York, was the first of the Squad members to lose a primary. Bowman lost to George Latimer, who entered the race after being urged to do so by pro-Israel groups strategizing to oust him.

AIPAC has pledged $100 million to unseat Squad members and other progressive candidates by bolstering the campaigns of pro-Israel candidates. 

How do you think these heated political races will play out?