Award-winning performer Harry Belafonte, civil rights icon Professor Angela Davis, playwright Eve Ensler, Nobel laureate George P. Smith and hundreds of other sign on to #IstandWithIlhanCampaign

(New York City, NY) February 15, 2019: In just days, hundreds of celebrities and well-known progressive activists and academics declared their support for Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, sending in photos to the #IStandWithIlhan social media campaign.

Civil Rights icon Professor Angela Davis, award-winning performer Harry Belafonte, playwright and author of the “Vagina Monologues” Eve Ensler and Nobel laureate George P. Smith were early supporters of the campaign, launched by Jewish Voice for Peace on Wednesday.

Additional supporters include Oscar-nominated director Lexi Alexander, author and climate justice activist Naomi Klein, acclaimed academic Phyllis Bennis, the granddaughter of Clara Lemlich, leader of the NY shirtwaist strike of 1909, and, as well as the Dream Defenders and the staff of the Center for Constitutional Rights.

In addition to the hundreds of personal photos and messages, supporters including actress Alia Shawkat and Palestinian poet and activist Remi Kanazi tweeted their support with an image of Ilhan Omar created by Palestinian art organization, Watan Palestine.

“The wide spectrum of support we’re seeing for Congresswoman Ilhan Omar indicates the growing number of people who will no longer be silenced in their criticism of Israel,” said JVP Executive Director Rebecca Vilkomerson. “Ilhan Omar’s defiance against the pro-Israel lobby and her defense of our Constitutional right to boycott make it it clear: It’s a new day in Congress.”

Rep. Omar is the latest in a long line of outspoken defenders of Palestinian human rights to suffer attacks and a bad-faith smear campaign by right-wing politicians and mainstream Jewish establishment figures. Omar has apologized for a tweet in which she criticized the right-wing anti-Palestinian lobby group AIPAC for behaving like any other powerful lobby, as some found it antisemitic. Although numerous members of the Republican leadership – as well as the President himself – have made antisemitic comments, shared antisemitic tropes on social media and elevated known antisemites to positions of authority, President Trump singled Omar out and called for her resignation. We’re not buying it. Jewish Voice for Peace affirms that supporting Palestinian rights is in line with Jewish values.

Omar supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement, and Jewish Voice for Peace is proud to defend her. As the success of the #IStandWithIlhan campaign shows, Ilhan Omar – and everyone who criticizes Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights – will not be silenced.

JVP Executive Director Rebecca Vilkomerson is available to speak with the media.

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