By Yaron Steinbuch
August 15, 2019 

Israel on Thursday barred Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from entering the Jewish state, citing their support for a Palestinian-led boycott movement — a decision that unleashed a torrent of condemnation by Democratic congressional lawmakers.

“The decision has been made, the decision is not to allow them to enter,” Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told Israel’s Reshet Bet Radio.

Shortly before the announcement, President Trump urged Israel to ban the freshman lawmakers — the first two Muslim women elected to Congress and two of Israel’s sharpest critics.

“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,” Trump tweeted.

“Minnesota and Michigan will have a hard time putting them back in office. They are a disgrace!” he added.

The lawmakers – who along with Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., comprise “The Squad in Congress – back the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, which calls for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the announcement by Interior Minister Aryeh Deri by saying Israel is a “vibrant and free democracy” that is open to criticism of its policies, but “with one exception.”

“Israel’s law prohibits the entry of people who call and operate to boycott Israel, as is the case with other democracies that prevent the entry of people whose perception harms the country,” he said, according to The Jerusalem Post.
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