Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren were the first presidential candidates to denounce Israel’s Thursday decision to bar Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan from entering the country.
“Banning Congresswomen Omar and Tlaib from entering Israel and Palestine is a sign of enormous disrespect to these elected leaders, to the United States Congress, and to the principles of democracy,” Sanders tweeted. “The Israeli government should reverse this decision and allow them in.”
Banning Congresswomen Omar and Tlaib from entering Israel and Palestine is a sign of enormous disrespect to these elected leaders, to the United States Congress, and to the principles of democracy. The Israeli government should reverse this decision and allow them in. https://t.co/mvdcmnFBKU
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 15, 2019
Similarly, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren stated, “Israel doesn’t advance its case as a tolerant democracy or unwavering US ally by barring elected members of Congress from visiting because of their political views. This would be a shameful, unprecedented move. I urge Israel’s government to allow @IlhanMN and @RashidaTlaib entry.”
Israel doesn’t advance its case as a tolerant democracy or unwavering US ally by barring elected members of Congress from visiting because of their political views. This would be a shameful, unprecedented move. I urge Israel’s government to allow @IlhanMN and @RashidaTlaib entry.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) August 15, 2019
2020 long shot Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton also tweeted in response to Trump, “Donald Trump says that two sitting U.S. Congresswomen hate all Jews but he says that literal Nazis can be very fine people. You tell me who’s the disgrace.”
Donald Trump says that two sitting U.S. Congresswomen hate all Jews but he says that literal Nazis can be very fine people.
You tell me who’s the disgrace. https://t.co/MLhMWXwmXv
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) August 15, 2019
The two Muslim congresswomen had a trip planned to Israel scheduled for next week, but the Israeli government announced Thursday morning that they will not be allowed in the country. The decision to bar them is in response for their support of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, which seeks to penalize Israel for their treatment of Palestinians.
President Trump also encouraged Israel not to let them in Wednesday morning, arguing that it would “show great weakness” because “they hate Israel & Jewish people.”
UPDATE: Other 2020 presidential candidates followed suit in their denouncements of Israel. Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro accused the Israeli government of banning them “just to appease President Trump’s fragile ego” and called it “appalling.” Similarly, former Maryland Rep. John Delaney accused Trump of pushing Netanyahu to ban them “as part of his effort to make Israel policy a partisan wedge to further divide the country,” in a statement.
NEW: Julián Castro: “The Israeli government just barred two elected members of the U.S. Congress from an official trip just to appease President Trump’s fragile ego. This is appalling.” https://t.co/g6EZ2YL1Z0 pic.twitter.com/ELIXASwyzP
— ABC News (@ABC) August 15, 2019
