Rep. Ted Lieu apologized for a statement he made that he said could be interpreted as an anti-Semitic trope against U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.

"It has been brought to my attention that my prior tweet to @USAmbIsrael raises dual loyalty allegations that have historically caused harm to the Jewish community," the California Democrat said Thursday on Twitter. "That is a legitimate concern. I am therefore deleting the tweet."



It has been brought to my attention that my prior tweet to @USAmbIsrael raises dual loyalty allegations that have historically caused harm to the Jewish community. That is a legitimate concern. I am therefore deleting the tweet. — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) August 16, 2019



Lieu suggested in his original tweet that Friedman, an Orthodox Jew, had a dual loyalty to Israel.

"Dear @USAmbIsrael: You are an American. Your allegiance should be to America, not to a foreign power. You should be defending the right of Americans to travel to other countries. If you don't understand that, then you need to resign," Lieu said.

While Lieu deleted the tweet targeting Friedman, he kept up similar ones targeting non-Jewish members of Congress.



Hey @RepMoBrooks: A reminder that you are an American Member of Congress. Your allegiance should be to America. We are Americans first. You should be defending the right of Americans to travel to other countries. Get it? https://t.co/4FhRWXsLJP — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) August 15, 2019

Hey @SteveScalise: You are an American Member of Congress. Your allegiance should be to America, not to a foreign government. You should be defending the right of Americans to travel to other countries. If you don't understand that, you should find another line of work. https://t.co/LIyX7l0C3c — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) August 15, 2019



He also went on CNN to say Friedman should resign for supporting Israel's travel ban on Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.



.@RepTedLieu on Ambassador Friedman supporting Israel banning Rep. Tlaib from visiting: “It is outrageous that the US government is working against having an American go visit a relative in Israel... I think he should resign." pic.twitter.com/RddqDNHtrP — The Situation Room (@CNNSitRoom) August 15, 2019



Lieu's comments follow Israel announcing Omar and Tlaib are forbidden to enter the country because of their support for the boycott, divest, and sanctions movement. The pair had introduced a resolution to Congress in support of the movement.