Tipsheet

Israeli Ambassador: Omar and Tlaib Will Be Allowed to Visit

Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN) and Rashida Tlaib (MI) have been guilty of anti-Semitic language since being sworn in to Congress. Omar accused pro-Israel politicians of dual loyalty and for being so supportive of Israel for "the benjamins." She also once tweeted that Israel has "hypnotized the world." Additionally, she and Tlaib support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement to boycott Israeli goods and services. She's so passionate about that that this week, Omar introduced a resolution to protect Americans' right to boycott foreign countries. 

This behavior reportedly gave Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pause as to whether he should allow the two freshmen democrats to visit the country they've disparaged. But, on Friday, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer announced that the two lawmakers will be permitted within the country. 

The congresswomen plan to visit both Israel and Palestinian-controlled territories "in a couple of weeks," according to Omar.

Netanyahu has made no secret of what he thinks about the lawmakers' anti-Israel musings, however. He was particularly irked by Omar's claim that lawmakers support the Jewish state with dollar signs in their eyes.

“Take it from this Benjamin: It’s not about the Benjamins!” the prime minister said at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference in March.