Trump: Don’t show weakness; keep Tlaib, Omar out of Israel

The U.S. president urged Israel to bar entry to Reps. Omar and Tlaib, saying they hate Israel and Jews and calling them a “disgrace.” 

Amid reports that Israel has decided to refuse entry to pro-BDS Democratic congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted late Thursday afternoon that they should be banned from the Jewish State.

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

Shortly afterwards, Israel announced its decision to bar the two Muslim members of Congress from entering the country over fears of provocation that they would cause and their unwillingness to coordinate with Israeli authorities, according to multiple reports.

“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,” Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told Israel’s Kan News.

Israeli law bars entry into the country of those who support a boycott of the Jewish State. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had appeared inclined to allow Omar and Tlaib to visit following pressure from leading figures in the U.S. Democratic Party.

The decision to bar them is based on concern over potential incitement on the part of the two congresswomen while they are in Israel and the Palestinian-administered territories.

Omar and Tlaib are pro-BDS activists, have made statements that included anti-Semitic tropes, and have supported anti-Israel groups.

Thursday’s tweet was not the first time that Trump voiced opposition to allowing the two congresswomen into Israel. According to a Channel 13 report earlier this week, Trump maintained if Omar and Tlaib promote boycotts of Israel then “Israel should boycott them.”

In response to reports that Trump advocates an Israeli ban on Omar and Tlaib, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham commented, “The Israeli government can do what they want,” referring to the story as “fake news” in a statement quoted by Axios.