Israel’s deputy foreign minister says the government has decided to bar two U.S. Democratic congresswomen who support the international boycott movement from entering the country.
Tzipi Hotovely told Israel Radio in an interview Thursday that “Israel has decided not to allow” Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota to visit as planned.
She says it is in keeping with a policy of denying entry to those who advocate boycotts of Israel.
Her remarks came shortly after President Donald Trump tweeted that “it would show great weakness” if Israel allowed them in.
The two newly-elected Muslim members of Congress are outspoken critics of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians. Tlaib’s family immigrated to the United States from the West Bank.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Released a statement defending Israel’s decision:
“No country in the world respects America and the American Congress more than the State of Israel.
As a free and vibrant democracy, Israel is open to critics and criticism, with one exception: Israeli law prohibits the entry into Israel of those who call for and work to impose boycotts on Israel, as do other democracies that prohibit the entry of people who seek to harm the country. In fact, in the past the US did this to an Israeli member of Knesset, as well as to other public figures from around the world.
Congresswomen Tlaib and Omar are leading activists in promoting the legislation of boycotts against Israel in the American Congress. Only a few days ago, we received their itinerary for their visit in Israel, which revealed that they planned a visit whose sole objective is to strengthen the boycott against us and deny Israel’s legitimacy. For instance: they listed the destination of their trip as Palestine and not Israel, and unlike all Democratic and Republican members of Congress who have visited Israel, they did not request to meet any Israeli officials, either from the government or the opposition.
A week ago, Israel warmly welcomed some 70 Democratic and Republican members of Congress, who expressed broad bipartisan support for Israel, which was also demonstrated a month ago in a resounding bipartisan vote against BDS in Congress.
However, the itinerary of the two Congresswomen reveals that the sole purpose of their visit is to harm Israel and increase incitement against it.
In addition, the organization that is funding their trip is Miftah, which is an avid supporter of BDS, and among whose members are those who have expressed support for terrorism against Israel.
Therefore, the Minister of Interior has decided not to allow their visit, and I, as Prime Minister, support his decision.
Nonetheless, if Congresswoman Tlaib submits a humanitarian request to visit her relatives, the minister of interior has announced that he will consider her request on the condition that she pledges not to act to promote boycotts against Israel during her visit.”
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar says Israel’s move to block her and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib from visiting the country is “an insult to democratic values.”
Omar says in a prepared statement that Israel’s move Thursday is the equivalent of President Donald Trump’s effort to block travel to the U.S. from Muslim-dominated countries. And she says denying entry “not only limits our ability to learn from Israelis, but also to enter the Palestinian territories.”
The Minnesota Democrat says the move isn’t a surprise given that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “aligned himself with Islamophobes like Donald Trump.”
The U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said in a statement that Israel “has every right to protect its borders” against promoters of boycotts “in the same manner as it would bar entrants with more conventional weapons.”
Friedman says that the movement calling for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel “is no less than economic warfare designed to delegitimize and ultimately destroy the Jewish State.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi slammed the decision to deny admission to two Muslim-American congresswomen, calling the snub “beneath the dignity of the great State of Israel.”
The California Democrat, long a supporter of Israel, also said President Donald Trump’s statements attacking liberal Democratic Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar and encouraging Israel to block their planned visit is “a sign of ignorance and disrespect, and beneath the dignity of the Office of the President.”
Pelosi noted that Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Ron Dermer, recently said that Israel would not deny any members of Congress from entering the country. She called the reversal “sad” and “deeply disappointing.”
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland said the decision “outrageous” and “wrong.” He called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and urged him to reconsider.
Top ranking Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York said Israel’s decision was a sign of weakness instead of strength and “will only hurt the U.S.-Israeli relationship and support for Israel in America.”
A close freshman colleague of the two lawmakers, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, said Israel’s move is “bigoted, short sighted and cruel.”
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It would show great weakness if Israel allowed Rep. Omar and Rep.Tlaib to visit. They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds. Minnesota and Michigan will have a hard time putting them back in office. They are a disgrace!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 15, 2019
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
(AP)
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40 Responses
Trump should keep his German nose out of Israeli government decisions
“Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer said Israel would not deny entry to any member of Congress”
Given Netanyahu’s need to continue pandering to the Trumpkopf, especially before the election, it wouldn’t be surprising if Bibi clicks his heels, throws his own ambassador under the bus and says these Congressional visitors are not welcome. If he does, the Dems in Congress will immediately support their colleagues and make EY pay a price for submitting to Trump’s stupidity. Let these two anti-semitim come, spew their hatred and go home. EY will be stronger for having maintained its independence from POTUS.
they shouldnt be allowed in and not because of Trump.
Update……Well, as predicted, Bibi caved to the Trumpkopf…. I suspect the lefty Dems will make them martyrs even though most of them privately wish they would just disappear.
Israel caved to the Leader. Major sign of weakness. Now they will say Israel is America’s pawn. Or is it?
I would expect non Jews of Left or Right stand up for Rasid or Omar, but Lets see what the spineless Chuckie SChmekel will say. As the Leader of his party he was silent against the Jews on condemning Anti Semetic resolution and eventually made it into Anti Muslim. Him Nadler, Debbie Wasserman and the rest of the Jews serving have no pride for their Religion and fear of Islamist has overtaken them.
It takes a PRESIDENT to call out a Anti Semite remind us of what we ought to be be.
Shame on the Weak Jews.
TRUMP 2020
He’s entitled to express his opinion just like Warren and these two antisemites. And what he wrote was 100% correct.
to Laugh.
You are as arrogant and stupid as your post. Crawl back to your section 8 and old talking points.
“German”? President Trump has stood up for the Jews against misinformed Jews (if you are one). I am sure you would prefer to Kiss Obama’s and his “For Sale” sign hanging on the WH and were silent for 8 years. Where were you when Obamist (islamist) spokesman called the Terror attack in France on the Kacher Market “an act of random Violence”?
From Elizabeth Warren…”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.”
Listen here Indian Chief: Israel does NOT have to “advance its case as a tolerant democracy or unwavering US ally”… anyone that is not blinded by hate and antisemitism knows that Israel already is one of the most tolerant democracies and one of the fiercest allies of the U.S., ON THIS PLANET.
A gigantic mistake. Basically, the Israelis admitted that the women’s charges that the Israelis are persecuting the Palestinians are true on the theory that there is something they don’t want them to see. If the Democrats are in control of the country in 2021 (and the threat of a recession makes this very possible), it will go very badly for the Israelis (cut off of aid, ban on military sales, restrictions on private transfers of funds, etc.). If effect, the Israelis are needlessly betting their future on Trump winning in 2020.
i would let them but transport them to gaza to stay as long as they wish and take them back to the airport to leave
bib has become a puppet of the orange one
Laughing= you should move to Minnesota .
laughing (see first comment) is the pen name of Rashida Tlaib, ימח שמה .
Trump has more sechel than the supposedly Yiddisha kop Bibi, it took a Hasid umos halom (Trump) to tell Zionists not to allow Hamas worshippers into Israel.
Ms. Warren:
You speak with forked tongue, and from empty head. You should have enough intellect to understand the purpose of this trip. It has nothing to with these goons’ expressions of tolerance, or America’s friendship and alliance with Israel. It is evil minded, and with a horrific mission. I applaud Israel for considering setting aside their law to make exception, much as I disagreed with that. And I applaud them again for invoking their law, that haters of Israel and those who seek to harm Israel should not be allowed to enter. And I conclude with my wishes for the wrath of Hashem to punish all the haters of Israel and the Jews.
laughing, that was a very racist thing to say. And very sad that it took a tweet from the president to make the Israeli gov’t come to its senses.
Banning them is the REAL sign of weakness (buckling to pressure from Trump and acting as if there is something to hide)
Braking News:
The Spinless Chuckie Schmekel sellout Jews Again.
“Democratic minority leader in the US Senate Chuck Schumer condemned the ban as harmful to the friendly ties between the US and Israel. Schumer advised Netanyahu to reverse the decision which he called a sign of weakness. He was followed in the same vein by two Democratic presidential contenders Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders”.
Gadolhadorah, hard to do that when much of the 2019 Democratic party is filled with distaste towards Israel. You’ll be the last one laughing in the gas chambers. “Hey, but let’s call him Trumpkoph”
Another Braking News
Nadler and Sanders condem Israel to be independent State and make decisions on their sovereign land UNLESS they are the one who are controlling the events.
Nadler The Jewish Extream Left.
“I strongly condemn this decision by the Israeli government, which undermines the ability for our two allied countries to have the frank, open and, at times, difficult discussions that we must have in order to ensure Israel remains a secure and democratic nation.
Let’s hear from AIPAC. They c can’t be accused of being anti-semites , anti-israel. or Democrats.
They tweeted:
We disagree with Reps. Omar and Tlaib’s support for the anti-Israel and anti-peace BDS movement, along with Rep. Tlaib’s calls for a one-state solution. We also believe every member of Congress should be able to visit and experience our democratic ally Israel firsthand.
Go Trump!
I agree with our great president. Israel has a rule, if you are pro BDS you can’t come into the country. Period.
Why would they want to go there in the first place?
@gadolhatorah if someone repeatedly talks garbage behind your back and then encourages your friends not to hang out with you and then tells them not to support your business… And then they ask you, “hey bud, I wanna come to your house, oh and btw, if you don’t let me in, that’s sad, cuz your house has a sign on the door that says welcome”
“….You’ll be the last one laughing in the gas chambers..”
TGI….your level of discourse is consistent with the intelligence shown by this administration…..a tweet every hour or two w/o any regard to substance/context/consequences is sadly what now substitutes for policy and diplomacy. Vilify those with whom you disagree, use vulgarity to show your a “real American” etc. Yup TGI, thats a great line. Won’t bother responding to you otherwise since I doubt you will be able to comprehend.
Katantorah, you remind me of an old joke. If Trump were to announce today a cure for all forms of cancer, your post the next day would be “Trump causes massive unemployment for oncologists”. Unfortunately, there is apparently no cure for Trump Derangement Syndrome.
BTW, as card carrying progressives, either Sanders or Warren are prepared to pressure Israel, should they be elected, by whatever means necessary ,regardless of whether Israel admits the two Representatives.
From Israel’s perspective (and not only from Israel’s perspective), Trump is the best president and the most pro-Jewish and pro-Israel that the USA had since Harry Truman.
Netanyahu did not bend to anyone’s pressure. In this matter, regardless of the course of action he had chosen, the anti-Semites would have had the upper hand. By barring them entry into Eretz Yisroel, at least he showed national pride and determination which counts for something. The foolish American Jews, most of whom are an endangered species – they are assimilating at a fast rate and based on the current trends will be gone in 50 years – they historically vote for the Obamas of the world and cringe at honest leaders with strong backbone such as Trump and Netanyahu and will always find fault with them.
Wow, Pelosi is such a shame to the US!
It’s bad enough the Democratic party has turned into a cesspool of Anti -Semitism, they want Israel to tolerate it as well? This duo are rabid Jew haters. They don’t belong stepping foot in Israel, or in Palestine- as they call it.
Can they get a refund on their tickets for this type of situation? Cause if yeah then once they work it out they might be able to get cheaper tickets soon. I saw dansdeals recently had one good deal after the other, so perhaps a blessing in disguise
“Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., on Thursday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “Muslim ban”.
FLASH NEWS;
Oh that hurts !!!
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu BANS TWO ANTI SEMITE. NAMELY ILAHAN OMAR AND RASHID. Muslims are always welcomed in Israel. They have rights as long as they dont seek to destroy Jews or vs.
Israel docent have OPEN DOOR POLICY for globalizationist.
If Israel allowed every Cockroach with intent to destroy her in, then it won’t exists. So call the Israelis undemocratic state, called her with intent to undermine its existence. IT WONT WORK. YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE YOU ARE DEALING WITH A COUNTRY THAT FEOM EAST TO WEST BY CAR IT TAKES COUPLE OF HOURS.
NAZIS TRIED to destroy the Jews. Now you have “glass ceiling trio” thinks that this is US.
A note from a NON Zionist, but a proud Jew.
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://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1162010358275629061 …
Flash News for Bernie Sanders
Disrespect? These are two Anti Semites.
But how would Burning Sanders know. about SELF RESPECT? ? ?
On the subject of “principles of democracy”. Hollow words if you dont have any “principles”.
its unbelievable how people with lips of lies and duplicity pass gas from their mouths.
Why I am not surprised that all deranged Trump haters on this forum stand by Jew-hating Islamo-Nazis scum..
Derenged anti-Trampers hate Trump more than filthy dirt-bags Tlaib and Omar.
Thank You Dear Ribono Shel Olam for orchestrating this wonderful news!
MoisheIn
These are not Jews. If you follow the manor the few they respond, they are obvious to be Zera Levatala.
The stabbing attack in the old city occurred minutes after the final decision to deny them entry
Who remembers when Giuliani didn’t allow Yassar Arafat to attend a concert in Lincoln Center. He didn’t care if he was being politically correct and neither does Bibi! Kol hakovod. Way to go Bibi!
The Israeli government just allowed Tlaib to enter.
I guess they don’t read TYW.