Face of Nation : US Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) will not be denied entry into Israel “out of respect for congress,” Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer told Israeli daily Haaretz on Friday.
“[Out] of respect for the U.S. Congress and the great alliance between Israel and America, we would not deny entry to any member of Congress into Israel,” Dermer said.
Questions on whether the two controversial congresswomen would be allowed admittance into Israel swirled after Omar told the Jewish Insider on Wednesday that she was planning to visit Israel and the West Bank in “a few weeks.”
Haaretz reported that the decision would be left to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Officials with knowledge of the issue later said that Netanyahu would ask the opinion of Israel’s National Security Council before making an announcement.
Palestinian-American lawmaker Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) is also expected to accompany Omar on her trip to the region, with the two expected to visit Israel and the West Bank.
The two freshman legislators are outspoken supporters of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanction) Movement, making them subject to Israel’s anti-boycott laws, which would enable to country to ban them from entering the country.
