Three leading candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination defended Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) Wednesday as she faces heat — including from members of her own party — over comments she made about the influence of the pro-Israel lobby on American foreign policy.

The statements, by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), reflect a sharp shift in the debate over her comments in the past day.

On Wednesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) faced some unhappy members of her caucus during a House Democratic meeting. Those members took issue with her decision to move forward on a resolution condemning anti-Semitism ― widely seen as a rebuke of Omar.

By the end of the day, Democratic leaders signaled the resolution may not get a vote at all, or it may be changed to condemn “all hate.”

The party’s progressive base, members like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and outside groups, had also been vocally defending Omar, arguing that she was being targeted because of her status as a black Muslim woman.

Sanders spoke up first Wednesday, with a sharp statement condemning the direction of House Democrats.

Anti-Semitism is a hateful and dangerous ideology which must be vigorously opposed in the United States and around the world. We must not, however, equate anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the right-wing, Netanyahu government in Israel. Rather, we must develop an even-handed Middle East policy which brings Israelis and Palestinians together for a lasting peace. What I fear is going on in the House now is an effort to target Congresswoman Omar as a way of stifling that debate. That’s wrong.

Harris came out with a statement shortly afterward, saying she was worried that Omar was being put “at risk” by having the spotlight squarely on her.

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. 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. At the end of the day, we need a two-state solution and a commitment to peace, human rights, and democracy by all leaders in the region ― and a commitment by our country to help achieve that.

Later on Wednesday, Warren also issued a statement saying criticism of Israel should not automatically be treated as anti-Semitic. She didn’t comment at all on what the House was preparing to do but defended Omar from threats of violence she was facing.

We have a moral duty to combat hateful ideologies in our own country and around the world―and that includes both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. In a democracy, we can and should have an open, respectful debate about the Middle East that focuses on policy. Branding criticism of Israel as automatically anti-Semitic has a chilling effect on our public discourse and makes it harder to achieve a peaceful solution between Israelis and Palestinians. Threats of violence ― like those made against Rep. Omar ― are never acceptable.

Sanders, who, if elected, would be the first Jewish president of the United States, was under growing pressure from his most devoted supporters to speak out in Omar’s defense.

The Vermont senator has a history of criticizing Israeli government policies. During the 2016 Democratic primary, he engaged in a spirited back-and-forth with Hillary Clinton about the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories that elicited praise from his progressive base.

The comments from Sanders, Harris and Warren capped a multi-day drama that began Friday following comments by Omar at a progressive event in Washington Thursday night, where she discussed her fears of censure for expressing her concerns about Palestinian human rights.

“It’s almost as if every single time we say something, regardless of what it is we say, that it’s supposed to about foreign policy or engagement, that our advocacy about ending oppression, or the freeing of every human life and wanting dignity, we get to be labeled, and that’s the end of the discussion,” Omar said, adding that advocates end up defending themselves, and “nobody gets to have the broader debate of ‘what is happening with Palestine.’”

“So for me, I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country,” she continued. “And I want to ask, why is it OK for me to talk about the influence of the NRA, of fossil fuel industries, or Big Pharma, and not talk about a powerful lobby ... that is influencing policy.”

Omar’s comments appeared to allude to groups such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, a lobbying group that promotes the interests of the Israeli government. Criticism of the group is widely seen as a taboo subject in Washington.

But her latest suggestion that the pro-Israel lobby was advocating “allegiance to a foreign country,” prompted accusations from American Jewish organizations and leading Jewish members of Congress that she had invoked the anti-Semitic stereotype which describes Jewish people as having a “dual loyalty” ― subordinating their patriotism to their country in favor of Israeli interests.

Omar followed up this criticism saying people indeed do ask her to support Israel and its policies.