Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced, Thursday, the decision to ban U.S. congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from entering Israel.
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said in a statement, “The Israeli decision to ban the 2 Congresswomen, is an outrageous act of hostility against the American people and their representatives.” PNN reported
She added “This is a dangerous precedent that defies all diplomatic norms and is an assault on the Palestinian people’s right to engage with the rest of the world.”
Both women, the first Muslim members elected into the House of Representatives, have faced criticism for their support for the peaceful Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer had previously stated that the representatives would be allowed to visit, out of respect for Washington.
Palestinian Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh said that the decision by Israel to deny the elected officials entry into the occupied Palestinian territories.
P.M. Shtayyeh stated that the inciting remarks against the two delegates by U.S. President Trump, reveal the insecurity of the regime of the exposure of the Israeli occupation, to the U.S. voters.
If Israel was really a democracy, and it had nothing to hide, it would allow peaceful representatives from a strong ally such as the U.S. to visit.
Source : PNN
Edited for IMEMC by Ali Salam
