With Israel’s decision to block both Muslim congresswomen from entering the occupied Palestinian territories via Israel, it has become dangerously clear that Islamophobia is at a state-sponsored level in much of the world.
Israel blocks US congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from entering the country
With Israel’s decision to block both Muslim congresswomen from entering the occupied Palestinian territories via Israel, it has become dangerously clear that Islamophobia is at a state-sponsored level in much of the world.
In its latest controversial move, Israel has announced that it will block US congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from entering the country. Both congresswomen were planning on visiting Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories next week.
US President Trump had tweeted earlier this morning, urging Israel to ban Omar and Tlaib from entering Israel, claiming “they hate Israel and all Jewish people”.
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 15, 2019
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely told Israel’s Reshet Radio only hours after Trump’s tweet: “The decision has been made, and the decision is not to allow them to enter”. This ban on both congresswomen comes amidst Israel’s controversial 2017 law which allows the country to ban anyone accused of supporting any boycott movement of Israel. This was an attempt to counter the growing BDS movement.
Both Omar and Tlaib have encouraged and supported the use of boycotts to pressure governments accused of human rights abuse, and while they have expressed concerns over Israel’s human rights record they are both adamantly against the rise in anti-Semitism. Many, despite the President and Israel’s controversial decision, have come to the defence of the two congresswomen:
@RashidaTlaib @IlhanMN I am blessed to serve alongside you and your voices & leadership matter deeply my sisters. We won’t stand for this.
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) August 15, 2019
President Trump, you show great weakness every single day—when you attack women of color, when you degrade the office of the president, and when you ask our allies to stoop to your level. https://t.co/rEEoFhaZXH
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) August 15, 2019
Banning Congresswomen Omar and Tlaib from entering Israel and Palestine is a sign of enormous disrespect to these elected leaders, to the United States Congress, and to the principles of democracy. The Israeli government should reverse this decision and allow them in. https://t.co/mvdcmnFBKU
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 15, 2019
Congresswomen Omar and Tlaib have been attacked by President Trump on numerous occasions, the most recent of which they were told to “go back” to the “broken and crime-infested” countries they came from. This type of blatant racist and Islamophobic rhetoric by the President of the United States is only helping fuel the rise in neo-nazi and neo-facsist movements in the US and abroad, and with Israel’s decision to block both Muslim congresswomen from entering the occupied Palestinian territories via Israel, it has become dangerously clear that Islamophobia is at a state-sponsored level in much of the world.
