Muslim lawmaker apologises for anti-Semitism remarks

Illhan Abdullahi Omar, one of the first two Muslim women in the US Congress, has "unequivocally" apologised for her remarks which sparked an anti-Semitism row and drew condemnation including from President Donald Trump who termed it a "terrible statement".

Omar, a Democrat who was elected to the House of Representatives in November, in a tweet on Sunday questioned the financial relationship between the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and members of the Congress.

While reacting to a Republican critic, Omar, 37, said "It's all about the Benjamins baby," referring to American USD 100 bills featuring the likeness of Benjamin Franklin.

"Anti-Semitism is real, and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes," Omar, the first Somalian American lawmaker, said on Monday.