Israel Has Made the Right Decision in Barring Omar and Tlaib

This article also appeared in New English Review.


The Israel government has decided not to allow UC Congresswomen Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) to enter the country Friday as part of a US Congressional delegation. The decision is being criticized, mostly by Democrats and the left. I feel it is the right decision.

I understand the arguments in favor of allowing these two disreputable politicians to come to Israel. Many of Israel's allies think it is a good opportunity for the country to demonstrate to Omar and Tlaib what Israel is really all about and to show its freedoms and transparency. Others predict that the two would proceed to act like the clowns they are and embarrass themselves and the Palestinian cause.

Here is why I disagree.

First of all, the free and democratic nations of the world have had enough of hostile people crossing their borders, not just in Israel, but Europe and the US as well. At some point, any country has to stand up and say, "You cannot enter our country".

Just as the US had a policy of not admitting communists during the Cold War because they were dedicated to overthrowing our democracy, Israel should have the right to deny entry to those who wish to do it harm-destroy it even. These two characters planned to advance the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions movement (BDS), which is designed to bring the Jewish state to its knees through economic pressure and isolation.

Nor am I concerned about the "slap in the face" to our Congress in denying two Congresswomen entry. It's not a slap in the face of President Trump, who supports the Israeli decision. If anything, it's just another embarrassment to Omar and Tlaib as well as their party for supporting them. In short, the Democrats have shown that they are no friends of Israel. So let them stand with Omar and Tlaib. It just further exposes them for what they are.

In addition, this is a good opportunity to tell the whole Palestinian movement and its supporters that this country stands with Israel-not the Palestinians. Even the Arab world considers them undesireable other than as pawns to beat up on Israel.

I hope Israel does not bend to pressure on this. The Palestinian cause should not be our cause. Thank God we have a president who realizes that.

Update: After Tlaib appealed to the Israelis to allow her to enter the West Bank to visit her 90-year-old grandmother, the Israeli government gave her permission to come on compassionate grounds. Then Tlaib announced that she will not travel after all.

What a flake.