Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) criticized a CNN analyst who referred to her colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) as a “public relations agent for Hamas.”
Expressing her dismay on Twitter, Ocasio-Cortez condemned what she called blatant Islamophobia and questioned why such remarks are tolerated without pushback.
The controversy stemmed from comments made by Republican strategist Scott Jennings on CNN’s “NewsNight.” During the segment, Jennings expressed surprise at the presence of what he described as a Hamas PR agent in the U.S. Congress.
Members of the “squad” rallied behind Omar, denouncing Jennings’ comments as reminiscent of post-9/11 anti-Muslim bigotry.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) labeled the remarks as “disgusting” and urged CNN to denounce the Islamophobia. Similarly, Rep. Ayanna Pressley emphasized that Islamophobia has no place in society, especially on primetime television.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) condemned Jennings’ comments as racist and Islamophobic, calling for CNN to exclude him from future appearances.
Jennings’ remarks followed an interview with Omar where she discussed Israel’s absence from cease-fire negotiations in Egypt.
The Hill reached out to CNN, Omar’s office, and Jennings for comment.
