Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on Thursday said Israel made “a mistake” in barring Reps. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., from entering the country.
“I disagree 100% with Reps. Tlaib & Omar on Israel & am the author of the [boycott, divestment and sanctions movement] bill we passed in the Senate,” Rubio tweeted on Thursday.
“But denying them entry into Israel is a mistake,” he added.
“Being blocked is what they really hoped for all along in order to bolster their attacks against the Jewish state.”
President Donald Trump urged Israel to bar Omar and Tlaib, the first Muslim women elected to Congress, in a tweet on Thursday.
“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,” Trump tweeted.
“Minnesota and Michigan will have a hard time putting them back in office. They are a disgrace!”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the decision on Thursday, writing in a statement: “As a vibrant and free democracy, Israel is open to any critic and criticism, with one exception: Israel’s law prohibits the entry of people who call and operate to boycott Israel, as is the case with other democracies that prevent the entry of people whose perception harms the country.”
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