Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn introduces resolution to combat rise in anti-Semitism and condemns Ihan Omar for comparing Israel to Hamas and Democrats

Republican congressman Madison Cawthorn has introduced a resolution in a bid to combat the surge in anti-Semitic attacks across the US and condemned Ilhan Omar for equating Israel to Hamas

Republican congressman Madison Cawthorn has introduced a resolution in a bid to combat the surge in anti-Semitic attacks across the US and condemned Ilhan Omar for equating Israel to Hamas.

In a statement exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, Cawthorn said:  'I am utterly appalled by the rise of anti-Semitic assaults in our nation following the evil attacks against Israel by Hamas. 

'The assaults are unjustified and wrong. There is no place for hate in America, especially not hatred based on one's faith or ethnicity. Religious freedom is a proud founding principle of America and ethnic bigotry is against every American creed. 

'I strongly condemn House Democrat's role in inciting such hate and their failure to support Israel's right to defend itself from those who wish to see her destroyed. It is nothing short of shameful that only twelve Democrats had the backbone to oppose the anti-Semitic radicalism of their party's true leadership. 

'There is an evident distinction between the democratic nation of Israel and the terrorist organization of Hamas. Rep. Omar’s remarks were reprehensible and should be censured for her actions. 

'It is our duty as Americans to strive for peaceful unity and appreciate our Jewish neighbors and friends. I thank those who joined my resolution and encourage others to follow.'

Cawthorn is referring to comments she made in June when she compared terrorist groups like Hamas and the Taliban and said her Jewish colleagues weren't 'equal partners in justice.

'We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban,' Omar wrote in a tweet along with a clip of her questioning Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

In a July interview on CNN, she said she didn't regret the comments - after previously walking them back.

Previously, Omar had sparked fury when she talked about how the U.S.-Israel relationship was 'all about the Benjamins.'

Cawthorn also called for Omar to be censured for comparing the US and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban in June 

Omar responded 'I don't' when Tapper asked if she regretted her most recent controversial comments.

'I think it's really important to think back to the point that I was trying to make,' she said.

'Obviously, I was addressing Secretary of State Blinken. The cases are put together in front of the ICC. ICC has been investigating. I know that some of my colleagues don't lend legitimacy to the ICC, but I tend to think that people around the world who have experienced injustice need to be able to have a place where they can go,' she argued.

'And, as a country that helped found the ICC and supported it, I think that it is really important for us to continue to find ways in which people can find justice around the world,' Omar added.

More broadly she said she understood why some of the things she said would be interpreted as being anti-Semitic.