Israel Blocks Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar’s Visit to Palestine

Al-Quds, MINA – Israel has decided to deny entry to Democratic congresswomen, Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, ahead of a planned trip to Al-Quds and the West Bank Sunday 18 August this week.

Both are Muslim and are the main opponents of Israel and defenders of Palestine in US representative institutions.

“The decision has been made, the decision does not allow them to enter,” Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told Radio Reshet Israel, Palinfo reported.

The decision to ban the first two Muslim women from winning seats in the US Congress was proposed by Israeli officials from the right-wing government, led by Netanyahu and referred to the government for ratification before it was officially announced.

An Israeli TV channel earlier claimed that Tlaib and Omar had refused to coordinate their itinerary with Israeli concerned officials.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump also persuaded Israel to ban the entry of two women members of the US congress.

“That would show a big weakness if Israel allowed Omar and Tlaib Representatives to visit,” Trump wrote through his Twitter account.

The two newly elected Muslim Democratic Congress members are outspoken critics of Israel’s treatment of Palestine and support the global boycott of Israel, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS).(T/Ais/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)