John Legend, Mayim Bialik And More Condemn Israel’s Ban Of Omar And Tlaib

(From left) Sarah Silverman, John Legend, Mayim Bialik, and Rob Reiner opposed Israel’s ban of Tlaib and Omar Image by Getty/Forward Montage

By Jenny Singer August 15, 2019

Israel is in the news every day. Less common are days when every American in Congress, many major world leaders and R&B star John Legend publicly criticize the country.

On Thursday morning, the Israeli Interior Ministry announced its decision to ban Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar and Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib from entering the country.

The two women — the first Muslim women to serve in Congress — had planned a congressional visit to Israel and the West Bank, where Tlaib’s grandmother lives, for this weekend. Israeli ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer confirmed last month that Omar and Tlaib would not be denied entry in response to questions had arisen due to their support of the boycott, divest and sanction movement, or BDS.

The announcement of the ban came after President Trump reportedly told advisers that the congresswomen shouldn’t be allowed to enter Israel; the president tweeted his support for keeping them out of Israel on Thursday morning. “They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds,” he wrote. Reports last week alleged that Trump had been pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deny entry to Omar and Tlaib.

American lawmakers from Marco Rubio to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have condemned the decision. Major celebrities, Jewish and not, have also spoken out against the ban. Here are their comments:

John Legend:

The President of the United States is joining with a foreign government to punish duly elected representatives of the people to quash their dissent and prevent them from doing their job. This is shameful on his part and on the part of the Israeli government. https://t.co/nBb3vAdGAx

— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 15, 2019

Sarah Silverman:

Jesus H this is Fucking insanity https://t.co/SAfzUWvzGv

— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) August 15, 2019

Mayim Bialik:

While I love Israel—it’s my homeland historically, spiritually and religiously—this is NOT an action that I support, nor does it reflect the spirit of Israel. https://t.co/RYP6ArMZjR

— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) August 15, 2019

Jason Alexander:

Dear Israel, you have a story to tell that is important and often glorious. But you don’t tell your story by keeping people out. You tell it by opening your arms, sharing the complexity and challenges and inviting exchange and ideas.

— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) August 15, 2019

Julie Klausner:

Honestly not crazy about Bebe either but that’s more about the fabrics than the cuts, which have always been flattering

— Julie Klausner (@julieklausner) August 15, 2019

Rob Reiner:

To suggest that 2 duly elected Members of Congress be refused entry to Israel saying “they hate all Jewish people” is just latest assault by this ignoramous on our Democracy. There are no straws. There are no camels’ backs. There is only Impeachment.

— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) August 15, 2019

Jenny Singer is the deputy life/features editor for the Forward. You can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @jeanvaljenny

Jenny Singer is a student in the MFA Nonfiction Writing Program at the University of Iowa, a former staff writer at Glamour, and a former writer and editor at the Forward.

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