Trump defended lobbying Israeli leaders to block two Democratic lawmakers from entering the country. 'I can't imagine why Israel would let them in,' he said of Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib — the first two Muslim women in Congress — citing past remarks
Israel’s government on Thursday barred Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from entering the country as part of a landmark visit, in a move that quickly set off a political firestorm in Washington.
“Israel’s denial of entry to Congresswomen Tlaib and Omar is a sign of weakness, and beneath the dignity of the great State of Israel,” Pelosi said in a statement. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , who led a delegation of dozens of House Democrats to Israel earlier this month, had repeatedly asked Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders to allow the freshman lawmakers to enter the country, only to be rejected.
An irate Hoyer called Thursday’s decision “outrageous” and pointed to Dermer’s earlier pledge to let Omar and Tlaib enter the country. Republicans, meanwhile, have been largely silent about the move. House and Senate GOP leaders have avoided commenting on the controversy. Even Trump's most loyal boosters on Capitol Hill were mostly quiet, showing how poorly the decision was received by lawmakers in both parties.
"Being blocked is what they really hoped for all along in order to bolster their attacks against the Jewish State," Rubio said on Twitter. On Thursday afternoon, Tlaib sent a letter to her fellow freshman Democrats asking for their help in getting the decision reversed, although her request called Palestine "a sovereign state," which angered some pro-Israel lawmakers in the class.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Israeli decision “is a sign of weakness, not strength. It will only hurt the U.S.-Israeli relationship and support for Israel in America. ... Many strong supporters of Israel will be deeply disappointed in this decision, which the Israeli government should reverse.”
to the annual AIPAC-funded trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories, which pro-Palestinian advocates have argued is intended to promote Israel’s political positions.
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