Israel will allow a visit by barred US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who is of Palestinian origin, on “humanitarian” grounds, the interior ministry announced.
Friday’s announcement comes a day after Israel said it would bar a planned visit by Tlaib and fellow Muslim congresswoman Ilhan Omar over their support of a boycott of Israel for its treatment of the Palestinians.
Israel’s Interior Minister Aryeh Deri decided to allow Tlaib to make a “humanitarian visit to her grandmother” in the occupied West Bank after the lawmaker had sent him a written pledge “to respect conditions imposed by Israel”.
Tlaib had “promised not to promote the cause of the boycott of Israel during her stay”, in a letter to Deri sent overnight, the ministry said in a statement.
Israeli media published the letter, which read: “I would like to request admittance to Israel in order to visit my relatives, and specifically my grandmother, who is in her 90s…
“This could be my last opportunity to see her. I will respect any restrictions and will not promote boycotts against Israel during my visit.”
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. pic.twitter.com/GGcFLiH9N3
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 15, 2019
Tlaib and Omar have voiced support for the BDS movement, which seeks to use non-violent means to pressure Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories, dismantle the separation wall, ensure equality for its Palestinian citizens and implement the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their lands.
Under Israeli law, BDS backers can be denied entry to Israel.
On Thursday, Tlaib condemned Israel barring her from visiting the occupied West Bank, tweeting that it was a “sign of weakness because the truth of what is happening to Palestinians is frightening”.