Isreal has decided to refuse to allow the entry of 2 Democratic congresswomen in the country after they pledged their support for the Palestinian-led boycott movement in Isreal.
What has happened?
- Israel has barred the entry of US Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar in the country.
- Both women belong to the US Democratic Party which is currently the principal opposition in the country before President Donald Trump’s Republican Party.
- While Rep. Tlaib has been elected from Michigan, Rep. Omar is from Minnesota.
- The US Congresswomen had announced their plans to visit Jerusalem and the West Bank. However, their tour was recognized by a Palestinian organization (MIFTAH), not the official Isreali government.
- Since the 1967 Mideast war, the nation of Israel controls the entry and exit points to the West Bank, which it had annexed along with the East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. However, the Palestinians want to include these territories in their future state.
- Isreal and Palestine have a contentious relationship and Palestine alleges that Isreali forces commit mass human rights violations in their territory. Isreal, however, denies all such accusations.
- Isreal claims that this visit has a negative connotation for it and it aims to strengthen the boycott of Isreal and is an affront to Isreali legitimacy.
Why is this matter unique?
For the first time, an American President has publically supported a call given by any foreign nation to bar US Elected representatives. Conventionally, such matters have united US politicians on both sides of the aisle.?