Ilhan Omar
Shurat HaDin NGO asks court to block Rep. Omar from entering Israel
A 2017 Israeli law allows the state to block foreigners that promote BDS from entering the country. However, Israel has already said it will allow Omar to enter the country out of respect for the U.S. Congress.
The New York congresswoman was also one of 17 members to vote against last week’s House resolution condemning BDS.
A pro-BDS bill by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) was widely seen as a move to push back against U.S. laws banning the boycott of Israel. Co-sponsorship by U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) adds credibility to the resolution, which will likely face stiff opposition in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) can enter the country, despite their pro-BDS views, “out of respect for the U.S. Congress, and the great alliance between Israel and America, we would not deny entry to any member of Congress into Israel.”
“Millions of Holocaust survivors and their descendants, as well refugees from Soviet oppression living in Israel, will find such comparisons unfathomable,” said Democratic Majority for Israel president and CEO Mark Mellman. “I find them odious. In an effort led by parties of the left, the German Parliament officially labeled BDS as ‘anti-Semitism’—and they were right.”
“I am going in a couple of weeks and so I’ll learn more,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) “But truly, everything that I hear points to both sides feeling like there is still an occupation.”
Since entering Congress in January, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) has made multiple anti-Semitic and anti-Israel remarks.
“I think Omar has to go,” said U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), eliciting wild applause and a standing ovation from the audience, though others will have to make that decision.
It should be noted that U.S. federal law prohibits foreign nationals from donating to political candidates.
The caucus launch was announced at the American Jewish Committee’s annual Global Forum in Washington, D.C.
“The Iftar is a time for reflection, piety and growing closer to God. Every year, this event is a special opportunity for people of many faiths to grow together,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler.
Even before running for Congress, Minnesota Rep. Omar has made anti-Israel statements such as tweeting in 2012 that Israel has “hypnotized the world,” a post that has since been deleted.
