Omar: Saudi Arabia and Israel have too much influence on Trump - US & Canada

Minnesota Democrat claims Saudi Arabia and Israel rely in part on money to bring about their preferred outcomes.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) likened Saudi Arabia’s influence on the Trump administration to Israel’s, saying both countries relied in part on money to bring about their preferred outcomes, JTA reports.

Her comments came in an interview with the London-based Sunday Times ahead of the publication of her book “This Is What America Looks Like: My Journey from Refugee to Congresswoman”.

“We know the amount of money and influence and connection that the Saudis have with the administration is really the reason that everything destructive they do is nullified,” Omar was quoted as having told the newspaper. “And that really is no different to what’s happening with Israel.”

The story said that Omar’s “new approach is to pivot to Saudi Arabia so she isn’t singling out the Jews.”

“There’s an alarming connection to the really destructive policies Israel is proposing and how much of it is being rubber stamped by this administration,” she said. “And how much of it is being urged by Americans who have connection and influence with this administration.”

Omar has become notorious for her anti-Israel statements. She came under fire last year after she suggested on Twitter that Republicans were attacking her at the behest of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC.

She subsequently issued a half-hearted apology before ultimately deleting the controversial tweets.

In the interview with the Sunday Times Omar claimed she has a better understanding now of why such expressions are hurtful, and suggested that invoking the Saudis should protect her from charges of bigotry.

“I talk about Saudi blood money and them being bloodsuckers and no one says ‘This is Islamophobic,’” said Omar.

Last September, Omar called Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's "existence" a problem in an interview with CBS.

A month earlier, Israel barred Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan from entering the country due to their support for BDS.