The Hill: Jewish Democratic group pushes Israel not to ban Omar, Tlaib
By Rebecca Klar
The Jewish Democratic Council of America on Thursday pushed back on President Trump’s support for the Israeli government potentially banning Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar (Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (Mich.) from visiting the Middle East country.
Council executive director Halie Soifer said such a move by the Israeli government would be counterproductive and “plays into President Trump’s goal of politicizing support for Israel.”
Trump tweeted Thursday morning in support of Israel banning the Democratic lawmakers from visiting the country.
A senior Israeli official confirmed to The Washington Post that the Israeli government may block Omar and Tlaib’s trip to visit Israeli and Palestinian territories.
As strong supporters of Israel and of the U.S.-Israel relationship, we urge the government of Israel to reject President Trump’s unprecedented and ill-advised recommendation to deny Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib entry into Israel,” Soifer said in a statement.
“Banning members of Congress from visiting Israel, where they can see facts on the ground with their own eyes, is counterproductive and plays into President Trump’s goal of politicizing support for Israel.”