I

han Omar, a newly elected Minnesota congresswoman who has called Israel “evil,” is getting support in her bid to wear a head covering on the floor of the US House of Representatives from none other than the Jewish lobby — in this case, Agudath Israel of America and the Orthodox Union.

Omar, a Muslim who wears a hijab, has argued she has a constitutional right to cover her head. “No one puts a scarf on my head but me” she stated recently on Twitter. “It’s my choice — one protected by the First Amendment. And this is not the last ban I’m going to work to lift.”

Rabbi Avi Shafran, the director of public affairs for Agudath Israel of America, said the Jewish organization has long fought to ensure that private employers and the government respect religious observances.

“While Ms. Omar’s attitude toward Israel has rightly raised eyebrows,” he said in an interview, “the fact that as ardent a supporter of Israel as Nancy Pelosi is cosponsoring the proposed legislation should make clear that it has nothing to do with advancing any objectionable agenda.”

Pelosi is likely the next speaker of the House of Representatives. Rep. Jim McGovern, who is expected to chair the House Rules Committee, also supports Omar’s request.

Nathan Diament, executive director of the Orthodox Union’s Advocacy Center, said the OU has long supported accommodating religious practice in the workplace. When asked about the irony of Jewish groups backing an anti-Israel advocate, Diament said: “I don’t think they’re connected. If Ms. Omar is going to advocate in Congress for anti-Israel policies, we will oppose her on her proposals. But this is something that, whether it was her proposing it or somebody else, we would support.”

Omar has not yet asked the Agudah or the OU for their support.

While the rule change would be welcome, the Agudah notes that it cannot recall a case where a person was not allowed to wear a religious garment on the House floor. There have been cases, however, where lawmakers have been barred from wearing hats simply for fashion. Congress first passed a rule forbidding any head coverings during a House session in 1837, a protest against the hat-wearing tradition in Britain’s House of Commons. The rule change would apply only to the House and not to the US Senate. (Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 737)