Ultra-orthodox Jews rally in support of US-Muslim congresswoman Ilhan Omar

A Jewish-American group has organised a rally in support of US-Muslim Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who has been accused of making anti-Semitic comments.

Neturei Karta - an ultra-orthodox faction that opposes Israel's existence - organised the rally in New York City's Times Square on Monday, according to media reports.

Hundreds, including many people not affiliated with the group, gathered to denounce attacks against Omar, who has been an outspoken supporter of the Palestinian cause.

"Anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism," said one banner carried by a protester. "Israel is real anti-Semitism," said another.

"When Omar first began speaking out against the pro-Israel lobby and the tactics it uses to influence politicians, she was immediately attacked by the Zionists, who claimed she was invoking an anti-Semitic stereotype," Neturei Karta spokesman Rabbi Dovid Feldman said in a statement.

Omar has faced extreme pressure after criticising the influence of the Israel in US politics and said she has even faced death threats when President Donald Trump tweeted out a video of her spliced with footage of the 9/11 attacks.

Supporters of the Somali-American have called such accusations Islamophobic.

As the rally took place, Omar along with fellow Democratic representatives Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hosted a congressional Iftar meal in Washington.

Tlaib, a congresswoman of Palestinian origins, has also faced a barrage of accusations from Republicans and Israelis of being anti-Semitic.

Jewish presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has backed the freshmen congresswomen amid the controversy.