Israel is likely to prevent Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota from visiting the country over their support for an anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian movement. One Israeli report being cited by other media in that country said the decision had been made to bar the two congresswomen.
Both of the freshman congresswomen are Muslim and have publicly stated their support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which seeks to penalize Israel for its treatment of Palestinians.
The Washington Post reported that Democrats were “informed” on Wednesday that the two congresswomen would be denied entry and that the Democrats are quietly bracing “for a new public fight” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Tlaib and Omar are scheduled to arrive in Israel this weekend. Their trip is being planned by Miftah, a nonprofit organization that seeks a “sovereign, independent, democratic, tolerant and inclusive Palestinian state, which grants Palestinians their basic rights, preserves their dignity, and enjoys international recognition and respect.”
An Israeli government official told CNN, “There is a possibility that Israel will not allow the visit in its current proposed format. Professional teams and legal counsel in various government ministries are continuing to examine the decision.”
The decision to bar their entrance into the country comes from a new law that permits foreign nationals’ entry visas to be denied if they have publicly backed or called for a boycott against Israel or the disputed territories.
In response to the news, Aaron Keyak, the former head of the National Jewish Democratic Council, told the Washington Examiner, “This reversal is counter productive to say the least and gives a victory to the BDS Movement. All Members of Congress would benefit from visiting Israel and seeing the diversity of the people and richness of the culture.”
He continued, “This action also sets a dangerous precedent for the many other countries — many led by dictators and ruthless thugs — that US elected officials visit. A painful moment for those of us who care about a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and fight for the cause of peace.”
UPDATE: Israel has formally announced that Omar and Tlaib will be denied entry, according to multiple outlets.
New from CNN: Israel has decided to ban Democratic Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from entering the country, says a spokesman for Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely.
This AM Trump tweeted that it would show “great weakness” for Israel to let them in.
— Kylie Atwood (@kylieatwood) August 15, 2019
SECOND UPDATE: David M. Friedman, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, released a statement showing his support for Israel’s decision.
“Israeli properly has enacted laws to bar entry of BDS activists under the circumstances present here, and it has every right to protect its borders against those activists in the same manner as it would bar entrants with more conventional weapons,” Friedman’s statement said. “Initially, Israel had indicated that it would accept the Tlaib/Omar Delegation, and use their visit as an opportunity to engage with and educate the delegation members with regards to Israel’s vibrant and robust democracy, its religious tolerance and its ethnic diversity. Unfortunately, the itinerary of the Tlaib/Omar Delegation leaves no room for that opportunity.
Please read my attached statement with regard to the decision of the Government of Israel to deny entry to BDS activists, Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, in accordance with its national laws. pic.twitter.com/q9M2N1uRkr
— David M. Friedman (@USAmbIsrael) August 15, 2019
