'Astounded and heartbroken': Rep. Ilhan Omar faces fallout over Armenian
Genocide vote
News
Michael Arria on October 30, 2019
Rep. Ilhan Omar. (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) Rep. Ilhan Omar.
(Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
On October 29 the House passed H.Res 296, a resolution that recognizes the
mass-killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks during World War 1 as a genocide.
While the measure passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 405-11, Rep. Ilhan Omar
(D-MN) is facing criticism for simply voting "present."
It's estimated that 1.5 million Armenians were systematically murdered or
expelled under the Ottoman Empire. The International Association of Genocide
Scholars (IAGS) puts the death toll at over a million. Turkey has long
denied that a genocide took place, despite vast international pressure to
acknowledge the event. Earlier this year, Alabama became the 49th state to
recognize that a genocide occurred.
The push to acknowledge the genocide on a federal level has hit roadblocks
for decades, but recent geopolitical events have forced the issue. Last
week, President Trump lifted sanctions on Turkey in response to the country
agreeing to ceasefire after its recent attack on the Kurds. The resolution
acknowledging the Armenian Genocide was spearhead by Adam Schiff (D-CA), who
is also leading the impeachment campaign against Trump. It was introduced
alongside a bill slapping Turkey with a new round of sanctions, legislation
that also passed overwhelmingly.
Omar's "present" vote was immediately criticized by observers on social
media, many of whom are generally supportive of the congresswoman's
progressive domestic agenda and foreign policy outlook. Omar's office put
out a statement declaring that accountability for genocide is crucial, but
that it shouldn't be used as a "cudgel in a political fight." She also
stated that other mass crimes, like the slave trade and the holocaust of
indigenous peoples should be acknowledged.
"I am kind of astounded but more heartbroken," wrote activist Sophia Armen,
who also pointed out that Omar's statement included common Turkish
government talking points.
"This is bullshit," tweeted political cartoonist Eli Valley, "The genocide
is a historical fact, and regardless of why it passed today, it's ludicrous
to demand that a century-delayed resolution encompass every other atrocity
known to humankind before it can gain approval."
"Rep. Omar should know that the US has denied the Armenian Genocide for over
a century due to our military and financial relationship with Turkey,"
tweeted The Young Turks' Ana Kasparian, "So is there EVER a situation in
which condemning their ethnic cleansing of Armenians acceptable? So
disappointed."
What an absolute disappointment and shame that the only democrat who did NOT
support the Turkish bill aiming to stop the killing of innocent people is
[Omar] who seems like on #DictatorErdogan 's payroll working for his
interests, but not for the American people and democracy!," tweeted Boston
Celtics Center and Turkish government target Enes Kanter.
Responding to a tweet from MSNBC's Chris Hayes regarding the fallout, Omar
wrote, "My issue was not with the substance of this resolution. *Of course*
we should acknowledge the Genocide.My issue was with the timing and context.
I think we should demand accountability for human rights abuses
consistently, not simply when it suits our political goals."
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed the vote as "worthless"
and the country's foreign ministry immediately put out a statement
condemning the move. "Undoubtedly, this resolution will negatively affect
the image of the U.S. before the public opinion of Turkey as it also brings
the dignity of the U.S. House of Representatives into disrepute," it reads,
"We believe that American friends of Turkey who support the continuation of
the alliance and friendly relations will question this grave mistake and
those who are responsible will be judged by the conscience of the American
people."
