Politics & Government
Israel Walks Back Ban On Tlaib's Visit, Tlaib Rejects Offer
Rep. Rashida Tlaib is refusing to visit Israel over "racist treatment" from the Israeli government.

Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib on Friday canceled her visit to her grandmother in the West Bank after Israel rescinded its decision to ban her from visiting. Tlaib's decision not to go is based on the "oppressive conditions," she tweeted.
"In my attempt to visit Palestine, I've experienced the same racist treatment that many Palestinian-Americans endure when encountering the Israeli government," Tlaib said in a statement.
Israel decided Thursday to ban Rep. Tlaib and her colleague, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, from visiting the West Bank after President Donald Trump tweeted it would "show great weakness" on Israel's part if they allowed the two Muslim congresswomen to enter the country.
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"They hate Israel & all Jewish people," Trump tweeted on Thursday. The congresswomen have been critical of the Israeli government but deny holding any hatred for Jewish people.
It would show great weakness if Israel allowed Rep. Omar and Rep.Tlaib to visit. They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds. Minnesota and Michigan will have a hard time putting them back in office. They are a disgrace!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 15, 2019
Then, Friday morning, Israel's interior ministry that they had granted Tlaib's request to enter, noting she'd promised not to promote boycotts against Israel and to respect Israel's restrictions on her visit, according to an NBC report.
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See more on Patch:
- Israel Will Block Minnesota's Rep. Ilhan Omar From Visiting
- Illinois GOP's 'Jihad Squad' Post Sparks Apology
- GOP Pounces After Dem's Holocaust Remark — Here's What She Said
But Tlaib then rescinded her request to enter. "I cannot allow the Israeli government to... use my deep desire to see my grandmother, potentially for the last time, as a political bargaining chip," she said in a statement.
My sity wanted to pick figs w/ me. I broke down reading this & worry every single day after I won for my family's safety. My cousin was texting me which photo of @IlhanMN & I they should put on a welcoming poster when I heard the news. I couldn't tell her.https://t.co/TneIQHwDgO
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 16, 2019
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