Omar hails Senate hearing on hate crimes as GOP criticism mounts

A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the alarming rise in hate crimes targeting Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian Americans is drawing mixed reactions.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar praised it, saying she hopes the hearing will inspire meaningful action.

The hearing was organized by Senator Dick Durbin as a critical step in addressing hate crimes nationwide.

It follows increased discrimination following the start of Israel’s war on Gaza last October. 

But some Republicans and Jewish groups have expressed dissatisfaction with the selection of witnesses, particularly Maya Berry and Kenneth Stern.

Berry is the executive director of the Arab American Institute and Stern is the director of the Bard Center for the Study of Hate.

Center for International Policy executive vice president Matt Duss responded, saying that Berry and Stern are widely respected authorities on these issues. 

Duss also said “this will make it harder to use the hearing as part of the campaign to suppress pro-Palestinian activism.”

Durbin emphasized the need for unity against all forms of hate. 

The hearing marks the first Senate discussion on hate crimes since October. 

It comes amid rising tensions over nationwide campus protests against what demonstrators say is Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.