Left-wing students from New York University confronted former first daughter Chelsea Clinton at a vigil for victims of the massacre in New Zealand Friday night telling her that her criticism of Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) comments about Israel helped create the atmosphere that allowed the shooting to happen.
The students, identified by the Washington Post as Leen Dweik and Rose Asaf, spotted Clinton at the vigil and then confronted her, which was captured on video and immediately went viral.
“I’m so sorry, that certainly was never my intention, I believe that words matter,” Clinton said.
Omar’s tweet last month sparked outrage among supporters of Israel including several prominent Democratic members of Congress who failed in an attempt to formally rebuke the freshman representative.
Asaf told the Post that Clinton “was the one who made this a story. “To me, when speaking of someone who is a refugee, it’s a dog whistle, it’s signaling this is a patriotic issue and that nationalism excludes people like Ilhan Omar,” she said.
Clinton received support from both sides of the aisle.
Co-signed as an American. We should expect all elected officials, regardless of party, and all public figures to not traffic in anti-Semitism.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) February 11, 2019
From a New York Times columnist.
No, Chelsea Clinton is not responsible for the terrorist attacks and she was there yesterday at the vigil in solidarity. You can disagree with her opinions but what transpired was just so dumb and unnecessary. She could have been engaged in conversation in a more productive way.
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) March 16, 2019
Donald Trump Jr. also chimed in.
It’s sickening to see people blame @ChelseaClinton for the NZ attacks because she spoke out against anti-Semitism. We should all be condemning anti-Semitism & all forms of hate. Chelsea should be praised for speaking up. Anyone who doesn’t understand this is part of the problem.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 16, 2019
As did Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas).
This is the kind of insanity poisoning young minds, and led to the terrible accusations against Chelsea Clinton at NYU.
Chelsea Clinton is not to blame.
Also, if I ever say “I am triggered” non-sarcastically, please kick me out of Congress. https://t.co/rslRLHV1Sq
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) March 17, 2019
Photo by Gage Skidmore
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