Rashida Tlaib Receives Israel’s OK to Visit Grandma, Then Opts Not to

U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) speaks at the opening plenary session of the NAACP 110th National Convention on July 22, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

After being barred from entering Israel on Aug. 15, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) submitted a humanitarian request to visit her aging grandmother in the West Bank, and Israel’s interior minister approved it.

But Tlaib changed her mind on Aug. 16, saying that in the end she could not enter Israel “under these oppressive conditions.”

“Silencing me & treating me like a criminal is not what she wants for me,” Tlaib tweeted. “It would kill a piece of me. I have decided that visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions stands against everything I believe in — fighting against racism, oppression & injustice,”

Tlaib and fellow Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) were barred from making a planned visit to Israel on Aug. 18 because of their declared support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against the Jewish state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to apply his country’s 2017 law, which bans foreigners who publicly support Israel boycotts, to the two congresswomen.

But Israel still allows humanitarian requests as exceptions to the law. In her request submitted on Aug. 15, Tlaib had asked to visit the West Bank to see her grandmother, who is in her 90s, saying it could be her “last opportunity to see her.”

She promised not to promote the boycott movement against Israel while there. “I will respect any restrictions and will not promote any boycotts against Israel during my visit,” she wrote.

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri quickly approved Tlaib’s request on Aug. 16. But Tlaib tweeted her change of heart just before 9 a.m. Eastern time the same day.

Omar, who likened Israel’s decision to bar her to President Donald Trump’s travel ban against specific predominantly Muslim countries, will still not be allowed to visit.

Gabe Friedman writes for the JTA international news agency and wire service.

You May Also Like
Baltimore-Based Israel Baseball Americas Aims to Expand Influence of Baseball in the Jewish State
Adam Gladstone played a crucial role in helping Team Israel prepare for and work its way to a surprising sixth-place finish in the World Baseball Classic. (Photo courtesy of Adam Gladstone)

Launched Mar. 18, Israel Baseball Americas is an effort to support the Israel Association of Baseball.

Making a Racket about Racquetball
Park Heights JCC

A group of longtime racquetball players is upset about the JCC's decision to remove its courts, writes Michael Olesker.

Ashkelon Youth to Visit Baltimore as Part of Diller Teen Fellowship Program
Diller Fellowship's three-week summer seminar

While in Charm City, the fellows will visit the Inner Harbor and Fells Point while meeting with local Jewish community officials.

Baltimore Zionist District to Present ‘Echoes of October 7’ Virtual Event
The Empty Shabbat Table

Among the speakers during the March 19 gathering will be Sharon Alony-Cunio, whose husband continues to be held hostage in Gaza.