Furious debate at PMO over two US congresswomen’s visit to Israel

Whether or not to permit Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) to visit Israel was the subject of heated discussions at the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem on Thursday. PM Binyamin Netanyahu said he would decide before the end of the day. The visit is scheduled to begin on Sunday, Aug. 18. Omar and Tlaib will be the guests of the Palestinian Miftah group which is headed by Hanan Ashrawi. They are due to visit Ramallah, Temple Mount, Bethlehem, and the controversial Khan al-Akhmur site outside Jerusalem.

The Knesset majority has promulgated a law authorizing denial of entry to champions of the boycott against Israel. Both congresswomen have repeatedly avowed their support for the BDS movement.  An Israeli spokesman told the Washington Post that If Tlaib, an American of Palestinian heritage, made a special humanitarian request to visit her family in the occupied West Bank, then “it would be considered favorably.”

Netanyahu faces a dilemma. Blocking the two congresswomen’s visit will be taken amiss by the US Democratic party and reflect badly on its traditional friendship for Israel, as well as on its reputation for freedom of speech. On the other hand, Netanyahu is fighting an uphill battle for his Likud party’s re-election and his own political future. Any sign of weakness on his part would be seized on and turned against him by his many rivals and further fracture his right-wing base. Granting vocal supporters of the anti-Israel boycott permits to enter Israel in violation of the law, with free rein to use their visit as a platform for spreading their views across world media. would seriously affect his prospects with voters at the September 17 ballot.

 

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18 thoughts on “Furious debate at PMO over two US congresswomen’s visit to Israel

    • Aug 15, 2019 @ 14:22 at 14:22
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      Yanki No! Cuba Si! Europe Si!
      Yanki No!

      Reply
  • Aug 15, 2019 @ 14:20 at 14:20
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    Imagine of Israeli politicians would be refused entry to US … Antisemitism! Scandal!

    LOL!

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    • Aug 15, 2019 @ 15:24 at 15:24
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      If they openly boycotted the USA? – likely, loling Jacob.

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      • Aug 15, 2019 @ 16:09 at 16:09
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        Please let them come… Don’t let them leave. We don’t want them either.

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  • Aug 15, 2019 @ 15:16 at 15:16
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    NO entry to hate and anti Israel Congresswomen from US. They are not your friends or supporters and they do not support Israel.

    Reply
  • Aug 15, 2019 @ 15:37 at 15:37
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    Not in this lifetime, . . . the next lifetime, . . . or anywhere in eternity would I allow these two to set one foot on any of my property, . . . especially if I were an Israeli.

    Reply
  • Aug 15, 2019 @ 16:11 at 16:11
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    Please let them come… Don’t let them leave. We don’t want them either.

    Reply
  • Aug 15, 2019 @ 16:18 at 16:18
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    Please let them come and get kidnapped and disappear forever! We don’t want them in the US, maybe they can be relocated to Gaza?

    Reply
  • Aug 15, 2019 @ 17:13 at 17:13
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    What is the purpose of the visit?

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    • Aug 15, 2019 @ 17:57 at 17:57
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      Wasting US Taxpayer’s money as well as finding additional excuses to support BDS.

      Reply
  • Aug 15, 2019 @ 20:07 at 20:07
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    Bibi is not even capable to decide to ban haters of Israel from Israel – the man is such a sissi, how should he lead Israel ?
    How could he become the longest serving PM ? Its just unbelivable…..

    Reply
    • Aug 15, 2019 @ 20:56 at 20:56
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      Pres. Trump had to tell Bibi what position is reasonable – Bibi couldnt find out himself….unbelievable….

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      • Aug 16, 2019 @ 2:39 at 2:39
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        Agreed Bibi is talking like Churchill but acting like Chamberlain, a weak man with a strong mouth

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  • Aug 15, 2019 @ 22:50 at 22:50
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    Please, please Bibi, take the two traitors – we don’t want them in the U.S. We’ll pay you to keep them!

    Reply

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