Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday warned against a “dark wave of anti-Semitism” on the rise in Europe and the U.S. as he met with Israeli leaders.
“Sadly, we in the United States have seen anti-Semitic language uttered even in the great halls of our own Capitol. This should not be,” Pompeo said, according to CNN.
He also urged countries in Europe and throughout the Western Hemisphere to “go to the barricades against bigotry.”
{mosads}Pompeo’s comment appeared to indirectly refer to recent comments by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) that prompted allegations of anti-Semitism.
Omar, who is serving her first term in Congress, sparked criticism after she suggested that lawmakers back Israel because of financial support from a lobbying group.
Omar apologized for the comments, but she later drew further criticism when she accused people who back Israel of pushing allegiance to a foreign country.
The House later passed a broad resolution condemning anti-Semitism and other forms of hate.
Republicans have seized on Omar’s comments, and President Trump has suggested that Democrats are part of an anti-Jewish party.
Republican lawmakers, however, have come under fire for incendiary comments as well. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) was stripped of his committee assignments after he questioned to The New York Times how language like “white nationalist” and “white supremacist” became offensive.
Trump will meet next week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.