RJC Supports Israel's Decision to Bar Entry to Reps. Tlaib and Omar

Israeli Law Bars Entry of BDS Supporters

Today it was officially announced that Israel will bar entry to Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, in accordance with Israeli law barring entry to supporters of the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction of Israel (BDS) movement. Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks issued the following statement:

Israel’s decision to deny entry to Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, while not easy or taken lightly, is the right decision. This decision has nothing to do with American partisan politics.  In fact, 40 Democratic members of Congress were just welcomed enthusiastically in Israel for a trip led by Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Rather, this decision is about Israel following Israeli law, and two freshman Democratic Members of Congress that choose to support BDS and traffic in anti-Semitism. Their itinerary shows that they had no plans to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu, anyone in his cabinet, anyone in the Knesset, or anyone from any opposition party. The purpose of their trip was to use Israel as a backdrop to promote their radical agenda; they clearly had no intention of going to visit Israel with an open mind. The fact that these two are members of Congress doesn’t excuse their choice to support a movement that seeks to destroy the only democracy in the Middle East. It would be unfair to expect Israel to treat them differently than anyone else applying to visit the country.