By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — Jewish organizations are divided three ways over the decision of the Israeli government to deny entry to two anti-Israel members of Congress — Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Those on the right lined up behind the Israeli government; those on the left condemned the decision, and those in the middle offered ambivalent responses.
Following are responses from organizations listed in alphabetical order:
Americans for Peace Now — Americans for Peace Now (APN) strongly condemns the decision of Israel’s government to deny two US members of Congress entry to Israel. APN calls on the government of Israel to reverse its decision.
For the government of Israel to deny entry to these two US elected officials is outrageous and self-defeating for several reasons:
Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MN) and Ilhan Omar (D-MI) are democratically elected members of the US Congress, which represents the people of the United States, and is Israel’s staunchest supporting institution, bar none. Snubbing them is not only an affront to these two politicians but a blow to the institution and to Israel’s relations with the American people.
This decision further damages Israel’s character and image as a democracy and as a strong, self-confident state that can handle legitimate criticism, harsh as it may be.
The Israeli government’s decision seems to have been taken in response to requests by President Donald Trump. Israel initially announced that it would allow entry to the two congresswomen. Then, reportedly under pressure by Trump, the Israeli government decided to reverse its decision. Trump tweeted today that if Israel allows entry to Tlaib and Omar, “It would show great weakness.” By caving to Trump’s pressure, Prime Minister Netanyahu is further turning Israel into a partisan issue in US politics and further alienating important sectors in American society. This includes America’s Jewish community.
It is outrageous that the government of Israel is joining the ugly practice of turning Israel into political football, causing severe damage to the state of Israel and to its relationship with the United States and its government institutions.
It is not too late for Prime Minister Netanyahu to correct this grave mistake. We call on the government of Israel to invite Reps. Tlaib and Omar to visit Israel and territories under its control.
If Israel is confident in its oft-stated position that a visit to Israel is the best antidote to strident criticism of the country, it can only gain from allowing the congresswomen entry and working to mend badly damaged bridges.
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American Jewish Committee — American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO David Harris issued the following statement in response to the Israeli government’s announcement:
As long-time friends and supporters of Israel, American Jewish Committee (AJC) has always believed that visiting Israel is essential to gaining a better understanding of this dynamic country and the very real security challenges it faces.
When Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib announced their plans to visit, the Israeli government decided to allow them entry into the country, despite their unrelenting hostility toward the Jewish state and their active support for the BDS movement. This decision, which AJC supported, was made, above all, out of respect for the fact that both are members of the U.S. Congress, and that Israel rightfully prides itself on being an open, democratic society.
Our understanding is that the congresswomen did not request any meetings at all with Israeli officials, members of Knesset (Parliament) of any mainstream party, nor briefings on any subject from leading Israeli experts. The failure of the legislators to include any Israeli perspectives whatsoever reveals this to have been not a fact-finding mission, but rather a propaganda exercise. They went so far as to call the trip a “Delegation to Palestine,” making it clear that they were not coming to hear from various points of view, but rather to undermine the very legitimacy of the State of Israel.
AJC believes that, out of two less-than-ideal options, neither of which was risk-free, Israel did not choose wisely by reversing its original decision.
While we fully respect Israel’s sovereign right to control entry into the country, a right that every nation employs, and while we are under no illusions about the implacably hostile views of Reps. Omar and Tlaib on Israel-related issues, we nonetheless believe that the costs in the U.S. of barring the entry of two members of Congress may prove even higher than the alternative.
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Jewish Democratic Council of America — We learned of reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure from President Trump, would bar Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) from visiting Israel. We spoke out with a message that preventing U.S. lawmakers from visiting Israel was unwise and counterproductive.
We share the government of Israel’s concern with regard to Reps. Omar and Tlaib’s support of BDS, but are deeply troubled by two unprecedented developments: the Israeli government denying members of Congress entry into Israel, and doing so at the urging of the U.S. president. We stated:
“The best way to fight falsehoods about Israel is with truth, and the best way to refute charges that Israel is anti-democratic is uphold democratic principles. Moreover, the best way to deepen an understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is for individuals to visit.”
JDCA was one of the first organizations to speak out in support of our values, and our statements received extensive press coverage in the U.S. and around the world. Once the decision was final, we issued a second statement rejecting Israel’s decision to ban the congresswomen, and denounced Trump’s interference in Israel’s democracy. According to credible reports, Prime Minister Netanyahu reversed his earlier decision to allow the visit due to the public pressure from President Trump. We stated:
“As strong supporters of Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship, we are deeply troubled that this unprecedented decision came at the urging of President Trump. Once again, President Trump has inappropriately interfered in Israel’s democracy, to the detriment of the U.S.-Israel relationship.”
Make no mistake: Trump deliberately put the democratically elected leader of Israel in the position of having to choose between what was best for Israel – showing the world that Israel’s democracy had nothing to fear from its critics – and what Trump believed was most political advantageous to him. In an unprecedented development, the U.S. president interfered in Israel’s democracy to further his own political self-interest.
Trump insists on continuing to politicize Israel by drawing attention to two members of Congress whose views on Israel are outside the Democratic mainstream. This is because President Trump wants to run a campaign against a fictional version of the Democratic Party instead of the actual Democratic Party – which is overwhelmingly supportive of Israel – that the vast majority of Jewish Americans support. This is not in Israel’s interest, it’s not in America’s interest, and we reject it.
In the past few hours, we learned that Rep. Tlaib canceled her visit to the West Bank after the Israeli government granted her permission to visit her grandmother on humanitarian grounds. But the fact remains that the two congresswomen were banned from their official visit because President Trump taunted Prime Minister Netanyahu with allegations of “weakness.” Nothing could be further from the truth. If Netanyahu had allowed the visit to go forward, he would have demonstrated strength by doing what he clearly knew was in the best interest of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
We have no say in Israel’s upcoming elections, and we will support the outcome because – unlike President Trump – we respect Israel’s democracy and democratic process. But we do have a say in our upcoming elections, and we will do everything in our power to bring about political change consistent with our values, including strong support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.
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New Israel Fund –Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision today to not allow Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib to enter Israel is not only reckless, but also profoundly undemocratic.
Barring two American congresswomen demonstrates just how far the Netanyahu government extends its undemocratic entry policy. The government is demonstrating that the test for entering the country is a political one — either you agree with this government or you’re shown the door.
This is the policy of despots and cowards, not democracies. It serves only the political ends of Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, not the people of Israel or the United States.
Refusing entry to Reps. Tlaib and Omar is an appalling escalation of a longstanding practice that has targeted visitors of Palestinian or Arab descent and those who are not Jewish – as well as people who are critical of Israeli policy – with extra scrutiny at the border.
Today is a difficult day for people who care about Israeli democracy. So I want you to know that Israelis, from civil society to the halls of the Knesset, are speaking out:
- Preventing the entry of critics of Israeli policy will not make the occupation disappear. Against the racism and attempts to silence any criticism – we must answer with an alternative, civil message of thousands of Israeli citizens who oppose the occupation and support democracy.
– Zazim — Community Action - Israel’s decision to deny Members of Congress Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar entry to the country, and by extension to the occupied Palestinian territory, is shameful and unfortunate. Israel is trying to prevent the two from voicing “provocative” criticism of its policies, but the truth of the occupation cannot be hidden, not even behind walls or checkpoints.
– Gisha: The Legal for the Freedom of Movement - Netanyahu and Trump are like twins – both of them built their political power using incitement against representatives of minorities. Netanyahu’s decision to ban the congresswomen, on the behalf of his ally Trump, is another stain on Israel’s right-wing government.
– MK Aida Touma-Suleiman (Joint List) - Israel is a free country and a democracy and as such needs not to deal with criticism by banning entry or exit to it.
– MK Nitzan Horowitz (Democratic Camp)
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Republican Jewish Coalition — 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.
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Simon Wiesenthal Center –The Simon Wiesenthal Center (“the Center”), global human rights NGO, has released the following comment concerning the Israeli government’s decision to bar U.S. Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from entering Israel:
“Representatives Omar and Tlaib are unapologetic anti-Semites and supporters of the anti-peace BDS movement,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the Center’s associate dean and director of global social action. “The congresswomen should have joined dozens of their colleagues who recently visited Israel and Palestinian territories. Still, the first instinct of Israeli officials to let them into the country was right one.”
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Zioness –– Today Zioness issued the following statement:
Trump has urged Israel to refuse entry to two sitting members of the U.S. House of Representatives in
order to score cheap political points. In a move that has the potential to deeply harm the relationship
between these two extraordinary allies, Netanyahu has acquiesced.
One does not have to agree with anything U.S. Representatives Tlaib and Omar say or do to comprehend
just how cynical this game is that Trump is playing.
Who wins at this game? Donald Trump, BDS activists, and frankly, those attempting to push the
American left to adopt anti-Israel and antisemitic positions.
Who loses at this game? International Jewry, democratic norms, and pluralism.
To all the American Jews who feel gut-punched today: Resist the temptation to turn your back on your
community or the state of Israel. Sometimes (recently, often) they get things wrong, but that does not
mean you need to be ashamed of your Zionism. There is virtue in our steadfast commitment to Jewish
liberation and a safe and secure Jewish state, despite our disagreement with decisions of its current
government. There is also virtue in our steadfast commitment to our progressive American domestic
ideals, despite the fact that some progressive leaders perpetuate anti-Jewish bias and antisemitism
masquerading as “anti-Zionism.”
To all the Zionesses in our midst: You are not alone, you are not crazy. Our community is being
manipulated and exploited as a political wedge, and we must resist that with all our heart and all our
might.
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Zionist Organization of America — Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) President Morton A. Klein and ZOA Chairman Mark Levenson, Esq. released the following statement:
The Zionist Organization of America strongly supports Israel’s decision to refuse entry of Israelophobic Jew-haters Rep Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar into Israel. Tlaib and Omar seek Israel’s destruction, and are leading promoters of anti-Jewish anti-Israel boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS). They even outrageously compare boycotting Israel to boycotting Nazis.
Israeli laws refusing entry to anti-Israel boycott leaders surely should apply to Tlaib and Omar.
The Israeli Supreme Court recognized that boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) is a dangerous “massive delegitimization campaign” facing Israel, and recognized the need to take steps to counteract this. Israeli Supreme Court Justice Hanan Melzer accurately described BDS as “political terrorism.” Israel should not allow political terrorists into the country.
Israel should not enable a visit that will give Tlaib and Omar opportunities to propagandize for Israel’s destruction, incite anti-Jewish violence, and perhaps even use the visit for other nefarious purposes – such as carrying messages to and from terrorists whom they associate with.
Rep. Tlaib has invited to her swearing-in Hezbollah supporters and taken pictured with them and convicted Jew killer Rasmeah Odeh; wants to cut all aid to Israel; lied, claiming Arabs “provided a safe haven for Jews” after the Holocaust; deleted Israel from her office map; and has written for Farrakhan’s newspaper.
Rep. Omar accuses Jews of bribing Congress to support Israel; showed sympathy to ISIS; called Israel “Apartheid State;” called Israel “evil” & and “hypnotized” the world; and described 9-11 as “some people who did something”; wouldn’t answer if she supported Al Qaeda; and supports murderous dictator Communist Venezuela’s Maduro.
Refusing entry to Tlaib and Omar will moreover protect Jews and others in America and around the world. The BDS that Tlaib and Omar promotes harms Jews on American campuses, and regular American businesses. Tlaib and Omar should not be given the opportunity to further delegitimize and harm all of us.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com