Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar accused the Israeli government of implementing President Trump’s proposed “Muslim ban” after she and Rep. Rashida Tlaib were barred from entering the country.
The Israeli government announced Thursday that they would not allow either congresswoman to enter the country next week for their scheduled trip, citing their support for boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. The movement seeks to penalize Israel for their treatment of Palestinians.
“It is an affront that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, under pressure from President Trump, would deny entry to representatives of the U.S. government,” Omar’s statement began. “Trump’s Muslim ban is what Israel is implementing, this time against two duly elected Members of Congress. Denying entry into Israel not only limits our ability to learn from Israelis, but also to enter the Palestinian Territories.”
It is an affront that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, under pressure from President Trump, would deny entry to representatives of the U.S. government.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/v00ESmehXT
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) August 15, 2019
It continued, “Sadly, this is not a surprise given the public positions of Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has consistently resisted peace efforts, restricted the freedom of movement of Palestinians, limited public knowledge of the brutal realities of the occupation and aligned himself with Islamophobes like Donald Trump.”
Prior to the announcement, Trump encouraged Israel not to let them in, arguing that it would “show great weakness” because “they hate Israel & Jewish people.”
A number of 2020 presidential candidates have defended Omar and Tlaib while bashing the president and Israel’s decision.
