AIPAC says 'every member of Congress should be able to visit' Israel after Omar and Tlaib are barred entry


Israel's decision to bar two Democratic lawmakers from entering is now drawing pushback from an unlikely source.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee in a statement on Thursday spoke out against Israel's decision to not allow Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) to enter for a visit that had been planned for the weekend. This announcement came after President Trump, who has targeted Omar and Tlaib with racist attacks and criticized their support for the BDS movement, tweeted that allowing them in would "show great weakness."
"We disagree with Reps. Omar and Tlaib's support for the anti-Israel and anti-peace BDS movement, along with Rep. Tlaib's calls for a one-state solution," AIPAC wrote. "We also believe every member of Congress should be able to visit and experience our democratic ally Israel firsthand."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This unexpected rebuke from the pro-Israel group emphasized the stunning nature of the country not allowing American lawmakers to visit at the president's suggestion, and as Vox's Zack Beauchamp wrote, "AIPAC virtually never publicly criticizes the Israeli government." On that note, Politico's Jake Sherman asked, "Has there been a bigger AIPAC-Bibi break ever?" AIPAC previously offered criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this year for a deal reached with a "racist and reprehensible party," doing so in a short tweet that still "sent shock waves through the political establishment," as The Washington Post reported.
Trump is not backing down, claiming again on Twitter following the announcement that the two lawmakers "HATE Israel!" But Democrats slammed Israel for this decision on Thursday, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) calling it a "sign of weakness" and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) blasting it as "outrageous."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas
-
Court allows Trump’s Texas troops to head to Chicago
Speed Read Trump is ‘using our service members as pawns in his illegal effort to militarize our nation’s cities,’ said Gov. J.B. Pritzker
-
Judge bars Trump’s National Guard moves in Oregon
Speed Read In an emergency hearing, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from sending National Guard troops into Portland
-
Museum head ousted after Trump sword gift denial
Speed Read Todd Arrington, who led the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, denied the Trump administration a sword from the collection as a gift for King Charles
-
Trump declares ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels
speed read This provides a legal justification for recent lethal military strikes on three alleged drug trafficking boats