Two US Congresswomen Barred from Visiting Occupied Palestine for Backing BDS

By Staff, Agencies

The “Israeli” entity has decided to prevent two American congresswomen from traveling to the occupied Palestinian territories and the “Israeli” entity over their support for a boycott of the Tel Aviv regime.

Ilhan Omar, a representative for Minnesota’s 5^th congressional district, and Rashida Tlaib, a representative for Michigan’s 13^th congressional district, are expected to visit the “Israeli” occupied Palestinian territories at the weekend.

Omar, with a Somali origin and Tlaib, with Palestinian roots, have openly supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions [BDS] movement against the entity and been outspoken in their criticism of the “Israeli” crimes against Palestinians.

The movement was initiated in 2005 by over 170 Palestinian organizations and later became international.

“Israeli” deputy foreign minister Tzipi Hotovely said on Thursday Tel Aviv had decided not to allow the members of US Congress to enter the “Israeli” entity.

“We won’t allow those who deny our right to exist in this world to enter ‘Israel’. In principle this is a very justified decision,” she told the Kan public broadcaster.

Earlier in the day, AFP quoted an “Israeli” official as saying that “Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations on the visit on Wednesday and a final decision was being weighed.

“There is a possibility that ‘Israel’ will not allow the visit in its current proposed format,” the official said, adding, “Professional teams and legal counsel in various government ministries are continuing to examine the decision.”

The official further said that according to “Israeli” law, the interior minister who is now Aryeh Deri has the authority to decide on the issue.

Deri, 60, is the chairman of Shas, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish political party in the entity. Back in 1999, he was convicted of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, and received a three-year prison sentence.

“If Congresswoman Tlaib makes a humanitarian request to visit her family, the decision on her matter will be considered favorably,” the official noted.

The Knesset in 2017 passed a law banning entry to foreigners who support BDS, which is meant to initiate “various forms of boycott against ‘Israel’ until it meets its obligations under international law” and ends its occupation of Palestinian lands.

Omar has accused the Tel Aviv regime of discrimination against Palestinians similar to apartheid.

In January, she enraged the large pro-“Israel” contingent in Congress, particularly the largely Democratic US Jewish community, by mocking America’s branding of the entity as a democracy.

Additionally on Thursday, US President Donald Trump urged Tel Aviv not to show “weakness” and firmly prevent the pair from visiting the “Israeli” entity.