WASHINGTON — A group of House Democrats, including Rep. Josh Gottheimer, are drafting a congressional resolution to rebut allegations by one of their own that American Jews have pledged allegiance to a foreign country.

The long-standing anti-Semitic stereotype that Jews have dual loyalties was made by Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., one of two Muslim-Americans elected to the House last fall. She has faced blowback from her House colleagues not for criticizing Israel and U.S. policy toward the Jewish state, but for invoking anti-Semitic memes in doing so.

The resolution being drafted by Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., and others, including House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, both of New York, would address anti-Semitism and combat the false allegations of dual loyalty.

“The idea that certain members of Congress seemingly believe it is acceptable to use historic anti-Semitic tropes accusing Jews of dual loyalty, despite the broad condemnation of the entire House Democratic leadership, is beyond me,” Gottheimer said.

"This rhetoric is reminiscent of other hurtful episodes in our history, including when President John F. Kennedy’s loyalty was called into question simply because he was Irish Catholic. It is time for the House to act and reiterate that anti-Semitism, like all forms of hate, have no place in our public debate.”

Their effort is backed by the Anti-Defamation League, whose chief executive, Jonathan Greenblatt, called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to bring such a resolution to the House floor.

“Accusing Jews of having allegiance to a foreign government has long been a vile anti-Semitic slur that has been used to harass, marginalize, and persecute the Jewish people for centuries,” Greenblatt wrote.

The latest furor erupted after Omar said Wednesday, “I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is okay for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country," referring to ongoing U.S. support for Israel.

Engel, who chairs the committee Omar sits on, struck back, calling it “unacceptable and deeply offensive to call into question the loyalty of fellow American citizens because of their political views” and saying she “leveled that charge by invoking a vile anti-Semitic slur.”

House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., responded as well, even as she condemned an ant-Muslim slur directed against Omar at an event sponsored by the West Virginia Republican Party, who superimposed her picture in front of the World Trade Center towers attacked by Islamic terrorists on 9/11.

Gross islamophobic stereotypes - like those about @IlhanMN recently featured on posters in WVA - are offensive and have no place in political discourse. Anti-Semitic tropes that accuse Jews of dual loyalty are equally painful and must also be roundly condemned. — Nita Lowey (@NitaLowey) March 2, 2019

No member of Congress is asked to swear allegiance to another country. Throughout history, Jews have been accused of dual loyalty, leading to discrimination and violence, which is why these accusations are so hurtful. — Nita Lowey (@NitaLowey) March 3, 2019

Omar then turned her fire on Lowey.

Our democracy is built on debate, Congresswoman! I should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee. The people of the 5th elected me to serve their interest. I am sure we agree on that! https://t.co/gglAS4FVJW — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) March 3, 2019

This is the second time in a month that Gottheimer and other House Democrats have criticized Omar.

Omar, one of two Muslims elected to the House last fall, supports Palestinian rights and has been critical of Israeli policy. She initially drew criticism by her fellow House Democrats for suggesting that Congress backed Israel because lawmakers were being paid to do so, not because it was a pro-western democracy and American ally.

After an effort led by Gottheimer and others signed a letter to House Democratic leaders, who responded by issuing a statement saying, "Congresswoman Omar’s use of anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations about Israel’s supporters is deeply offensive” and called on her to apologize.

President Donald Trump jumped into the controversy as well.

Representative Ilhan Omar is again under fire for her terrible comments concerning Israel. Jewish groups have just sent a petition to Speaker Pelosi asking her to remove Omar from Foreign Relations Committee. A dark day for Israel! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 5, 2019

Trump’s campaign was criticized by the ADL for engaging in anti-Semitic memes, including showing pictures of prominent Jews in his final campaign ad as the narrator described “these people that don’t have your good in mind." He also described some of the neo-Nazis marching in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017 as “very fine people.”

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.