Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezOcasio-Cortez on controlling COVID-19: 'We need to pay people to stay home' OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden eyes new leadership at troubled public lands agency | House progressives tout their growing numbers in the chamber at climate rally | Trump administration pushes for rollback of Arctic offshore drilling regulations Young conservatives won't back down from the climate conversation under Biden MORE (D-N.Y.) tore into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE after he announced he would not permit Reps. Ilhan Omar
Ilhan OmarOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden eyes new leadership at troubled public lands agency | House progressives tout their growing numbers in the chamber at climate rally | Trump administration pushes for rollback of Arctic offshore drilling regulations House progressives tout their growing numbers in the chamber at climate rally Democrats to determine leaders after disappointing election MORE (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib
Rashida Harbi TlaibOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden eyes new leadership at troubled public lands agency | House progressives tout their growing numbers in the chamber at climate rally | Trump administration pushes for rollback of Arctic offshore drilling regulations House progressives tout their growing numbers in the chamber at climate rally Board of canvassers in Michigan certifies election results after initial deadlock MORE (D-Mich.) entry for an upcoming trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
“[Members of Congress] are frequently asked to visit Israel to ‘see things for ourselves,’ ” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. “But Netanyahu choosing to ban the only 2 Muslim women in Congress from entering tells the US that only *some* Americans are welcome to Israel, not all.”
MoC are frequently asked to visit Israel to “see things for ourselves.”
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 15, 2019
But Netanyahu choosing to ban the only 2 Muslim women in Congress from entering tells the US that only *some* Americans are welcome to Israel, not all.
Trump is exporting his bigotry &making matters worse. https://t.co/PFdMDxuIfJ
Ocasio-Cortez said in a later tweet that Netanyahu's "discriminatory decision" to ban Omar and Tlaib entry "harms [international] diplomacy," and vowed not to plan any trips to Israel "until all members of Congress are allowed."
"Netanyahu’s discriminatory decision to ban members of Congress from Israel harms int’l diplomacy. Visiting Israel & Palestine are key experiences towards a path to peace," she tweeted. "Sadly, I cannot move forward w scheduling any visits to Israel until all members of Congress are allowed."
Ocasio-Cortez is a close ally of Omar and Tlaib in the House. The group of progressive, freshman congresswomen, along with Rep. Ayanna Pressley
Ayanna PressleyPelosi faces caucus divisions in Biden era Record number of Black women elected to Congress in 2020 'Squad' members give Cori Bush affordable tips on congressional attire: 'Thrifting, renting, and patience' MORE (D-Mass.), make up a collection known as the “squad.”
Netanyahu defended the decision to deny entry to the two congresswomen, saying the move is in line with a new law that would prevent any supporter of the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel from visiting the country.
“The two-member congressional visitation plan shows that their intent is to hurt Israel and increase its unrest against it,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Both congresswomen voted against a nonbinding resolution last month condemning the so-called BDS movement.
Ocasio-Cortez also went after President Trump
Donald John TrumpRomney on Trump election tactics: 'Difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action' by president New York expands Trump tax fraud investigations to include writeoffs: report Biden promises federal government will pay for National Guard coronavirus work: 'That should be paid for' MORE, who shortly before the Israeli government’s decision was made public said Israel would show “great weakness” if it allowed Omar and Tlaib entry.
“Trump is exporting his bigotry & making matters worse,” she said.
The decision to bar Omar and Tlaib from entering Israel marks a reversal for Jerusalem, which had previously said it would let them in, and comes despite remarks from House leaders in both parties saying the congresswomen should be allowed to go on the trip.
The visit, which was set to begin Aug. 18, was organized by the nonprofit organization, Miftah, headed by Palestinian lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi, and was set to take Omar and Tlaib to Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah and Jerusalem.
Netanyahu said the government would consider a request from Tlaib to enter the West Bank on humanitarian grounds so she can visit her grandmother.
Updated 2:56 p.m.
