The NYT Letters on Reps Tlaib, Omar, Israel, Mine, Two Others

Perhaps someone in Israel will find a way to complete what’s right here, open the door to Ms Omar, to all U.S. officials no matter what the failed president and prime minister may want.


Opinion
LETTERS
Israel Bars 2 Congresswomen, and a Furor Ensues
Readers react to Israel’s decision to honor a request by President Trump.

Aug. 15, 2019  

To the Editor:

Re “Israel Denies Entry to Omar and Tlaib After Trump’s Call to Block Them” (nytimes.com, Aug. 15):

President Trump’s urging Israel to show strength by denying entry to Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar and Israel’s complying are only a show of weakness. What does Israel have to fear from two critics, no matter how radical their position might be perceived?

It would be a perfect opportunity for them to see what Israel is about and to meet with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. What is Israel afraid of? These two congresswomen are in a position to open dialogue and build bridges. They should have the possibility of experiencing what is happening on the ground in both Israel and the West Bank.

Barring people from visiting countries because of differences of opinion and criticisms of that country represents actions more appropriate to dictatorships and autocrats.

Peter Dunner
Bethesda, Md.

To the Editor:

All countries, including Israel, have the right to bar entry to hostile foreigners. Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar are vigorous supporters of B.D.S. (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions). They are rightfully barred from entering Israel by the 2017 Israeli law preventing entry to hostile foreigners who support B.D.S.History is replete with examples of democracies damaged or subverted by enemies misusing the democratic rights such democracies grant. Israel is not required to walk down this path of national suicide, public relations — Democratic Party preferences or New York Times sensibilities notwithstanding.

Daniel H. Trigoboff
Williamsville, N.Y.

To the Editor:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel is as small and as shortsighted as the current United States president, who prompted the move to bar the two Democratic congresswomen from entering Israel, believing — wrongly — that this will win him the votes of hundreds of thousands of American Jews.

The women are elected United States representatives. Denying them entry to Israel over political views strikes at the soul of Israeli and American democracy,

Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar must go to Israel.

Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Trump simply must go.

Jonathan Wolfman 

North Bethesda, Md.

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