Kamala Harris mobbed on Twitter after meeting with California AIPAC leaders

Kamala Harris drew fire from progressives after meeting with California AIPAC leaders in her Senate office. Click ahead to see reactions. Kamala Harris drew fire from progressives after meeting with California AIPAC leaders in her Senate office. Click ahead to see reactions. Photo: Twitter Photo: Twitter Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Kamala Harris mobbed on Twitter after meeting with California AIPAC leaders 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

Despite not attending this year's American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference, California Sen. Kamala Harris met with California AIPAC leaders in her Senate office Monday, much to the dismay of critics of Israel, many of them progressives.

"Great to meet today in my office with California AIPAC leaders to discuss the need for a strong U.S.-Israel alliance, the right of Israel to defend itself, and my commitment to combat anti-Semitism in our country and around the world," the official Senate Twitter account for Harris wrote.

The tweet quickly garnered more replies than likes, an indicator of "controversial" content, with a ratio of 2,700 replies to 1,600 likes in the first three hours of posting.

Great to meet today in my office with California AIPAC leaders to discuss the need for a strong U.S.-Israel alliance, the right of Israel to defend itself, and my commitment to combat anti-Semitism in our country and around the world. pic.twitter.com/83Yrrbw4Q8 — Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) March 25, 2019

"Far-right Israeli PM Netanyahu just formed an alliance with a literal fascist party, and is bombing people trapped in the Gaza concentration camp right now, but fake 'progressive' Kamala Harris is meeting with AIPAC and praising the apartheid regime," journalist Ben Norton tweeted.

"As @AIPAC literally piles on Ilhan Omar and tears her down, then starts blasting AOC and others, Kamala Harris doubles down her support of them. Disturbing," activist Shaun King tweeted.

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The controversy comes as President Trump on Monday signed a proclamation recognizing Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights, which the rest of the international community views as occupied territory — a reversal of a half-century of U.S. policy in the Middle East.

American-Israeli relations and AIPAC have also faced increased scrutiny from the left after Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) criticized American politicians for supporting Israel with language that many deemed anti-Semitic.

Omar tweeted that politician support for Israel is "all about the Benjamins," and later accused AIPAC of trying to get lawmakers to pledge "allegiance to a foreign country." The freshman congresswoman stated that she meant to offense to Jews, and apologized for her "all about the Benjamins" tweet after a flurry of backlash.

Harris defended Omar after it was reported that the Minnesota Democrat received death threats.

"We all have a responsibility to speak out against anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, racism, and all forms of hatred and bigotry, especially as we see a spike in hate crimes in America," Harris said in a statement. "But like some of my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, I am concerned that the spotlight being put on Congresswoman Omar may put her at risk. We should be having a sound, respectful discussion about policy. You can both support Israel and be loyal to our country. I also believe there is a difference between criticism of policy or political leaders, and anti-Semitism."

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Harris was one of many 2020 Democrats who skipped AIPAC's policy conference this year. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand also did not attend.

During a Monday speech at the AIPAC policy conference, Vice President Mike Pence took aim at the 2020 Democrats who skipped the conference.

"Let me be clear on this point, anyone who aspires to the highest office in the land should not be afraid to stand with the strongest supporters of Israel in America," he said. "It is wrong to boycott Israel and it is wrong to boycott AIPAC."

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took a not-so-subtle shot at Ilhan Omar during his Monday evening speech.

"You can be a Jew and care about Israel and it does not make you any less American," he said. "You can be a Jew and lobby for Israel and it does not make you any less American."

Click through the slideshow above to see reactions to Kamala Harris meeting California AIPAC leaders.

The Associated Press contributed to this story