PLO Calls Israel’s Ban on US Congress As “Hostile”

Ramallah, MINA – Israel’s decision to ban two women members of the United States (US) Congress, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from visiting Palestine is an act of excessive hostility towards the people and US representatives.

“This is a dangerous precedent that opposes all diplomatic norms and attacks on the right of Palestinian people to engage with the whole world,” said Hanan Ashrawi, executive member of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Committee, was quoted by Wafa on Friday, August 16.

To visit Palestine, the two Muslim women must go through Israel because Palestine is under Israeli occupation and has no control over its borders.

“Israel, as a Palestinian illegal occupation force, does not have the right to impose such a ban on Tlaib and Omar, who want to visit Palestine and see, firsthand, the reality of Palestinian life,” Ashrawi continued.

He stressed that the visit was their right and obligation as members of the congress, overseeing the policies and actions of the US Government affecting Palestine, Israel and countries around the world.

The two women members of the US congress were banned from visiting Palestine because of their courageous political position and universal commitment to human rights.

“Israel is acting improperly, like a rogue state that is involved in human rights violations widely and systematically and wants to ensure that its violations are obscured by all means, including coercion,” he added.

President Donald Trump had previously asked Israel through his tweet to ban the entry of two women members of the US congress.

“That would show great weakness if Israel allowed Omar and Tlaib to visit,” Trump wrote, describing the two US lawmakers as “disgrace!”.

The two elected Democratic Congressman are outspoken critic of Israel’s treatment of Palestine and supports the global boycott movement against Israel, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). (T/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)