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Statement Regarding Representative Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib’s  Proposed Foreign Travel
The Israeli-American Civic Action Network is deeply concerned with the recent events surrounding the proposed foreign travel of U.S. Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.

Our organization holds the firm position that all elected officials from the United States who wish to learn more about Israel, visit with Israeli officials, and engage with Israeli citizens, should be allowed entry into Israel. 
Facts about the Planned Foreign Travel

However, after carefully reviewing the facts surrounding the visit of Representatives Omar and Tlaib to the region, visiting and educating themselves about Israel was not their goal:

1.    The Congresswomen submitted a planned itinerary Israel’s Interior Ministry titled, “U.S. Congressional Delegation to Palestine,” not recognizing the State of Israel, an undiplomatic, offensive, and disrespectful gesture to an important U.S. ally.

2.    The itinerary made it very clear that the Congresswomen sought to engage with persons and organizations which support boycotts and other forms of economic sanctions against the State of Israel.

3.    The travel sponsor and organizer, MIFTAH, has expressed support for terrorism against the State of Israel, praised the murder of Israelis by terrorists, and has promoted the false accusation that Jews murder non-Jewish children and use their blood for religious rituals.

It is deeply disappointing that Representatives Talib and Omar sought to engage in activities with persons and organizations which are dedicated to undermining and delegitimizing the only free and democratic nation in the Middle East, the State of Israel.

Given the undiplomatic behavior of the Representatives in this instance, we would urge House leadership to carefully consider the long-term repercussions of any retaliatory actions against Israel or its representatives in the United States, as is purportedly being considered according to reports.
A Nation of Laws
 
Israel, like the United States, is a nation of laws, and the laws of the State of Israel prohibit the entry of persons who wish to do harm to the country through the promotion of boycotts, divestments, and sanctions. The United States has similar restrictions enshrined in 8 U.S. Code § 1182 which empowers the government to prevent the entry of persons “detrimental to the interests of the United States” – authority which has been used on several occasions against many foreign officials.

In addition, several U.S. states and local governments, including California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Washington, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Seattle have imposed their own travel restrictions to jurisdictions which they have determined discriminate against their residents. 

The movement to boycott Israel is inherently anti-Semitic and discriminates against persons on the basis of their national origin. 

In our view, the State of Israel, like the United States and state and local governments, has the right the follow similar policies in order to protect its free and open society from those who seek to undermine it. 

A Special Alliance
 
Democracies may sometimes disagree, and on those rare occasions, close allies must remember and emphasize what keeps our countries close. We hope that Representatives Tlaib and Omar will choose to visit Israel for a truly educational experience such as over 70 House members experienced just weeks ago and that members will experience when visiting Israel with our organization accompanied by Israeli-American constituents.

America’s special alliance with Israel must also be treated with care and respect by U.S.-based  community and advocacy organizations. It was with deep disappointment that we watched many organizations rush to judgement, declaring the State of Israel guilty in this matter before understanding all of the facts and carefully considering all aspects of a complex situation. In this instance, organizations that are usually the most strident guardians of America’s relationship with Israel chose to side with those that have been the most hostile.

Our Promise
 
As the nation’s only Israeli-American advocacy organization, it is our solemn promise to be unequivocal in our mission to create positive change for a better America, a more secure Israel, and a stronger U.S. – Israel alliance.
 
Watch our statement which aired on Thursday evening August 15, 2019
via KCBS Los Angeles
 

 
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The Israeli-American Civic Action Network is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit advocacy organization. Contributions to section 501(c)(4) organizations are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
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