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.