Statements from Israeli MKs
Nitzan Horowitz (Democratic Camp)
It’s a severe mistake to ban American Congresswomen. Not only because of the clash with the Democratic Party, which has always supported Israel, but substantively: Israel is a free country and a democracy and as such needs not to deal with criticism by banning entry or exit to it.
טעות קשה למנוע כניסה של חברות קונגרס אמריקאיות. זה לא רק עימות מול המפלגה הדמוקרטית שתמיד תמכה בישראל, אלא זה עניין מהותי: ישראל מדינה חופשית ודמוקרטית ובמדינה כזו לא מתמודדים עם ביקורת על ידי מניעת כניסה או יציאה מהארץ.
— Nitzan Horowitz (@NitzanHorowitz) August 15, 2019
Merav Michaeli (Labor)
As mush as I disagree with big parts of their comments on Israel, the decision to deny @RashidaTlaib & @IlhanMN entrance to Israel means a rupture from the Democratic party and half of the American people. Clear damage to Israel's most important strategic and security interest.
— Merav Michaeli מרב מיכאלי (@MeravMichaeli) August 15, 2019
Michal Rozin (Democratic Camp)
Netanyahu is scared. He’s scared not to obey President Trump’s absurd request to deny the entry of US Congresswomen, and he’s scared of any outsider who’ll be expose to the reality of the occupation. This move could end as a diplomatic boomerang for Israel-US relations https://t.co/uY382jPZEL
— מיכל רוזין (@Michal_Rozin) August 15, 2019
Stav Shafir (Democratic Camp)
A country with smart foreign policy would invite members of Congress with positions that we don’t like and make sure they’re exposed to the complexity of the conflict, see our narrative, and show the world that we are strong and open. The state of Netanyahu the cowardly slams the door, gives a gift to BDS, which in turn rewards Bibi as well: fear and disconnection.”
מדינה עם מדיניות חוץ חכמה היתה מזמינה לכאן את חברות הקונגרס שאיננו אוהבים את עמדותיהן ודואגת שהביקור יחשוף בפניהן את מורכבות הסכסוך, יחבר אותן גם לנראטיב שלנו ויראה לעולם שאנחנו חזקים ופתוחים. מדינת נתניהו הפחדן טורקת את הדלת ונותנת מתנה לBDS, שנותן בחזרה מתנה לביבי: פחד וניתוק https://t.co/jicXZDiudU
— Stav Shaffir ?? (@StavShaffir) August 15, 2019
Ayman Odeh (Joint List)
Israel has always banned Palestinians from their land and separated us from other Palestinians, but this time the Palestinian is a U.S congresswomen.@RashidaTlaib didn't even have to land to expose the true face of Israel's occupation.
— Ayman Odeh (@AyOdeh) August 15, 2019
MK Aida Touma-Sliman (Joint List)
(1) Netanyahu and Trump are like twins – both of them built their political power using incitement against representatives of minorities. This is true of Trump’s attacks on @IlhanMN ,@RashidaTlaib & others, and of Netanyahu’s treatment of the Arab citizens of Israel & their MKs.
— MK Aida Touma-Sliman (@AidaTuma) August 15, 2019
(2) Netanyahu’s decision to ban the congresswomen, on the behalf of his ally Trump, is another stain on Israel's right-wing government. Netanyahu is afraid of these two brave women who represent the international consensus against the Israeli occupation.
— MK Aida Touma-Sliman (@AidaTuma) August 15, 2019
(3) My scheduled meeting with Omar will not take place in Israel next week, but we will try to hold it somewhere else. In the future – when the occupation will finally end, we will welcome her here.
— MK Aida Touma-Sliman (@AidaTuma) August 15, 2019
Statements from Israeli Civil Society
Avner Gvaryahu, Executive Director, Breaking the Silence
I would've loved to take @IlhanMN and @RashidaTlaib on our tour of Hebron. There's no joy in seeing or showing the harsh reality of the territories, but change will only come when we face up to the truth
— Avner Gvaryahu (@AGvaryahu) August 15, 2019
Omdim Beyachad (Standing Together)
Allow US Congressional Delegation to Visit Israel and the Occupied Territories!
The decision to deny entrance to Israel & the OPT for @IlhanMN and @RashidaTlaib because of their criticism towards the policies of the Israeli government, is outrageous and must be overturned. pic.twitter.com/jETb5S1OlY
— עומדים ביחד نقف معًا Standing Together (@omdimbeyachad) August 15, 2019
Alon Lee Green (Omdim Beyachad)
As an Israeli citizen I warmly welcome rep. @IlhanMN and rep. @RashidaTlaib in their visit to Palestine and Israel. They are not my peoples enemy, but the opposite: the ones who try to prevent them from being here, seeing the occupation and promoting peace – those are our enemies
— Alon-Lee Green (@AlonLeeGreen) August 15, 2019
Maisam Jaljuli (Omdim Beyachad)
They are A-F-R-A-I-D!! But that’s not surprising. From now on, we should call the ‘right’ the ‘paranoid right!’ Security cameras at the polling station. Deportation of a Filipino worker and her young son. And now the paranoid right is preventing the entry of Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar!
הם מ-פ-ח-ד-י-ם!!
אבל זה לא מפתיע, ומעתה יש להצמיד שם תואר לימין- ימין פראנואיד!
מצלמות אבטחה בקלפיות, גירוש פליטה ובנה הצעיר, ועכשיו הפרנויה התורנית- מניעת כניסתן של חברות הקונגרס טאליב ועומר!!— Maisam Jaljuli ميسم جلجولي (@JaljuliMaisam) August 15, 2019
Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement
Israel’s decision to deny @RashidaTlaib and @IlhanMN entry to the country, and by extension to the occupied Palestinian territory, is shameful and unfortunate. Israel is trying to prevent “provocative” criticism of its policies, but the truth of the occupation cannot be hidden.
— Gisha גישה مسلك (@Gisha_Access) August 15, 2019
Ron Gerlitz, Co-Executive Director, Sikkuy
The Israeli government is denying entry to American congresswoman. We are Israeli citizens and we think it is crazy and insane decision https://t.co/4ZMDAWbp4o
— Ron Gerlitz (@RonGerlitz1) August 15, 2019
Zazim — Community Action
We are Israeli citizens who resist the occupation, stand for an equal and democratic society and support Rep. @IlhanMN and @RashidaTlaib's visit.
Only together, Jews and Palestinians, Israelis and Americans, will we be able to oppose the racist Netanyahu-Trump alliance.— זזים – קהילה פועלת (@zazim_org_il) August 15, 2019
Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI)
Netanyahu and [Interior Minister] Deri’s decision is a blatant violation of freedom of speech. Preventing the entry of Congresswomen because of their criticism of government policy is another example of a politics of silencing dissent — and it is a violation of a core principles of democratic government.
החלטת נתניהו ודרעי פוגעת באופן בוטה ופסול בחופש הביטוי. מניעת כניסה מחברות קונגרס בשל הביקורת שהן מותחות על מדיניות הממשלה. החלטה זו היא המשך מדיניות סתימת הפיות ולפגיעה בעקרונות המשטר הדמוקרטי.
https://t.co/bwNjIqNPPr— האגודה לזכויות האזרח (@acrionline) August 15, 2019
Hagai El-Ad, Executive Director of B’Tselem
The injustices @IlhanMN @RashidaTlaib would have witnessed up close, they will continue standing up against from afar. I regret not having the opportunity to meet with them next week, but am hopeful that thanks to @netanyahu + @realDonaldTrump more will finally wake up to reality
— Hagai El-Ad (@HagaiElAd) August 15, 2019