According to reports in Israel, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas) confirmed the entry of US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich) to Israel for a humanitarian visit of her 90-year-old grandmother.
At this point, Tlaib is planning to visit between Sunday and Friday of next week. She has accepted Israeli demands to respect the restrictions imposed on her during the visit and not promote boycotts against Israel.
On Thursday, Tlaib tweeted a picture of her grandmother (see above) and wrote: “This woman right here is my sity. She deserves to live in peace & with human dignity. I am who I am because of her. The decision by Israel to bar her granddaughter, a U.S. Congresswoman, is a sign of weakness b/c the truth of what is happening to Palestinians is frightening.”
Her partner in crime tweeted:
It is an affront that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, under pressure from President Trump, would deny entry to representatives of the U.S. government.
My full statement: pic.twitter.com/v00ESmehXT
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan)
According to US diplomats, overnight Friday, contacts were held Tlaib’s office regarding her request to visit her relatives on a humanitarian basis, subject to her signing a commitment document drafted by Israel’s interior ministry. According to the same sources, Tlaib has already signed the document which, among other things, requires her to come alone.
Minister of Public Security, Strategic Affairs and Minister of Information Gilad Erdan (Likud) argued Friday morning that Tlaib’s request should be approved.
“The decision to prevent the entry of the congresswomen was just and proper, having clearly deduced from their planned schedule that the purpose of their visit was to continue supporting and promoting the boycott of Israel,” he tweeted, adding, “Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib’s request must be approved, mainly in light of her commitment to respect Israeli law and not promote boycotts against us.”