Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of Michigan blasted a decision by the Israeli government to bar her and another Muslim member of Congress from an official visit to the West Bank.
Tlaib and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) were both forbidden to join an official congressional delegation visiting the West Bank. Both are Democrats, both have been highly critical of Israeli policies, and both have drawn the ire of President Donald Trump.
Trump publicly encouraged Israel President Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw permission for the official trip, which he did. Part of the reasons cited is their support for a boycott as part of a campaign to sanction Israel.
Tlaib took to Twitter to respond. She said in a post that barring the pair is “a sign of weakness b/c the truth of what is happening to Palestinians is frightening”
Tlaib’s district in southeast Michigan has a large Middle Eastern population.
Tlaib has been given permission by Israel to make a personal visit to see family.
Tlaib did receive support from a Jewish organization based in metro Detroit. A statement from the Jewish Community Relations Council said Tlaib should be allowed to make an official visit:
“Jewish Community Relations Council/American Jewish Committee expresses disappointment at the decision of the Israeli government to bar Congresswomen Tlaib and Omar from visiting Israel. Congresswomen and Omar’s support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement is counterproductive to a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, we believe that Israel, as a strong ally of the United States, should have chosen to allow entry to these elected officials.”