Interior Minister Aryeh Deri says in an official statement that Israel will deny entry to US congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar.
“The decision was made with the agreement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan,” his office says. “The decision was made after Minister Deri saw they were boycott advocates whose entry should be refused according to the law.
“These are people who use the most central stage for supporting BDS organizations calling for boycotts of Israel,” the statement continues.
“The State of Israel respects the US Congress, as part of the tight alliance between the countries, but it is inconceivable that entry would be granted to those who seek to harm the State of Israel even during their visit.
“Minister Deri stressed that if a request is filed on behalf of Mrs. Tlaib to meet her family members for humanitarian reasons, subject to necessary commitments, he would consider that.”
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, August 15, 2019
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