Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration against Ilhan Omar, US Representative for

Pro-Israeli protesters rally outside event where Ilhan Omar speaks

A smaller counter-protest was also staged in support of the Muslim congresswoman who in the past said American supporters of Israel are pushing people to have 'allegiance to a foreign country'

Associated Press|Published: 03.24.19 , 08:37

Hundreds of protesters rallied outside an event where a congresswoman spoke to a Muslim-American civil rights group.

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The demonstrators were protesting the presence Saturday of US Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota at the fundraising event for the Council of American-Islamic Relations of Greater Los Angeles.

Protesters hold placards and flags during a demonstration against Ilhan Omar, US Representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district, in Woodland Hills, Los Angelesm California

Omar has drawn criticism for her recent remarks on Israel, including comments that American supporters of Israel are pushing people to have “allegiance to a foreign country.” Omar later apologized, saying “anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes.”

The Los Angeles Daily News reports that the protesters lined a sidewalk area outside the Hilton hotel in Woodland Hills, waving Israeli flags. A smaller group of counter-protesters held up signs in support of Omar.

Protesters hold signs during a demonstration against Ilhan Omar, US Representative for Minnesota's 5th congressional district, in Woodland Hills, Los Angelesm California

In response to remarks Omar made about Israel—on al least three different occasions—leading House Democrats offered a resolution condeming anti-Semitism.

A draft of the resolution does not rebuke Omar, a Somali-American and one of two Muslim women in Congress. But it sets out the history of anti-Semitism and bigotry in America, including anti-Jewish tropes about divided loyalties. The document also rejects bigotry directed against Muslims after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

It says the House “rejects anti-Semitism as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values that define the people of the United States.”