Friend --
According to breaking reports, Prime Minister Netanyahu will deny Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib permission to travel to Israel and the West Bank. This morning, President Trump attacked these members of Congress and tweeted that it would show “great weakness” if they were granted entry.
We need to be clear about this: The unprecedented decision to ban sitting members of Congress -- the first two Muslim women in Congress -- is motivated purely by right-wing politics, not by the interests of the State of Israel. This is an affront to Congress and the American people and will do severe damage to the US-Israel relationship.
Sign our petition: Reps. Omar and Tlaib MUST be allowed to travel to Israel and the West Bank >>
As pro-Israel, pro-peace Americans, we know that strong democracies allow space for critical voices and scrutiny. We may disagree with the views that the members hold on questions such as BDS, or with Rep. Tlaib on the two-state solution, but the right approach for a state that values democracy is to welcome criticism and debate, not suppress it.
Just two weeks ago, Israel’s ambassador to the US Ron Dermer said: "Out of respect for the US Congress and the great alliance between Israel and America, we would not deny entry to any member of Congress into Israel."
Whatever changed since then has nothing to do with Israel’s security -- and everything to do with the far-right agenda of Trump and Netanyahu.
Sign our petition and make clear: Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace Americans reject this disgraceful decision >>
Thank you,
Jeremy Ben-Ami,
President of J Street
