On Israeli ban of Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar
By MIFTAH
August 15, 2019

The Israeli government’s decision to ban Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from visiting Palestine is an affront to the American people and their representatives. It is an assault on the Palestinian people’s right to reach out to decision- makers and other actors from around the world. As a sponsor of this trip, MIFTAH worked hard to organize a well-rounded visit for Congresswomen Tlaib, Omar, and Palskett, in order to facilitate their engagement with Palestinian civil society and to provide them with an opportunity to see the reality of occupation for themselves. This is their right and duty as members of Congress, who oversee US policies and actions that affect Palestine, Israel, and countries worldwide.

Like all prolific human rights abusers, Israel wants to impose a blackout on the reality in occupied Palestine and prevent Congresswomen Tlaib, Omar from having direct contact with the Palestinian people, who are subject to Israel’s cruel regime of colonization, oppression, and land grab. Meanwhile, Israel has welcomed AIPAC-organized and funded visits of nearly 80 members of Congress to the region this week. This ban is a clear case of discrimination and hostility based on political views and ethnic background, deserving of moral indignation and unequivocal condemnation in Palestine and the United States.

http://www.miftah.org