US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar criticises 'ousting threats' by Republican leader

US Democrat Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has criticised "threats" made by a Republican leader in the House of Representatives to strip her of her seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Omar, the first Muslim woman to wear a hijab in the House of Representatives, categorised Kevin McCarthy's move as being a part of a "stream of hate" she has experienced throughout her political career.

McCarthy - one of the top contenders for House Majority Speaker - vowed to remove Omar from her seat over her criticism of Israel, as he spoke on Saturday at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual meeting.

Last year, I promised that when I became Speaker, I would remove Rep. Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee based on her repeated anti-semitic and anti-American remarks.

I'm keeping that promise. pic.twitter.com/04blBx3neD

— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) November 19, 2022

"From the moment I was elected, the Republican Party has made it their mission to use fear, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and racism to target me on the House Floor and through millions of dollars of campaign ads," Omar said in a statement on Monday.

"At the same time, they have openly tolerated antisemitism, anti-Muslim hate and racism in their own party… McCarthy’s effort to repeatedly single me out… does nothing to address the issues our constituents deal with," she added.

Full statement on Kevin McCarthy threat: pic.twitter.com/IAOP27ujlt

— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) November 21, 2022

Omar also stated that the "hate" she has received from Republicans has "led to hundreds of death threats and credible plots against me and my family".

The Democrat is known for speaking out against Israeli violations against the Palestinian people and has slammed US support for the country.

In an interview with The New Arab's sister-network Alaraby TV last year, Omar also said she was "disappointed" by the Biden administration's policy on Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Earlier this month, Omar was re-elected in the US midterm elections to serve as the Democratic representative for the state of Minnesota's 5th congressional district.