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Embattled US Rep. Ilhan Omar tweets ‘happy Passover’

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar is wishing 'happy Passover' to Jews celebrating the holiday in her home state of Minnesota and around the world

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., sits with fellow Democrats on the House Education and Labor Committee during a bill markup, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 6, 2019. House Democrats are rounding the first 100 days of their new majority taking stock of their accomplishments, noting the stumbles and marking their place as a frontline of resistance to President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., sits with fellow Democrats on the House Education and Labor Committee during a bill markup, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 6, 2019. House Democrats are rounding the first 100 days of their new majority taking stock of their accomplishments, noting the stumbles and marking their place as a frontline of resistance to President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)Read moreJ. Scott Applewhite / AP
    by The Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar is wishing "happy Passover" to Jews commemorating the holiday in her home state of Minnesota and around the world.

Omar is a Somali American and one of the first Muslims elected to Congress. She's been criticized for remarks in recent months on Israel, Jewish influence in Washington, and 9/11 that have drawn accusations of anti-Semitism and insensitivity. She says criticizing the Israeli government is not anti-Semitic.

In a tweet Friday, Omar said, "The story of Passover has resonated with and given hope to so many Jewish families in times of oppression."

She also gave a traditional Hebrew Passover greeting.

Omar says she’s faced increased death threats since President Donald Trump spread a videothat purports to show her being dismissive of the 2001 terrorist attacks.