Omar says Netanyahu’s existence is ‘contradictory to peace in the region’

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In an interview on CBS Face The Nation today, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar implored Israelis to not reelect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because his “existence” and policies are contradictory to peace in the region.

Netanyahu’s government recently banned Omar and Democratic Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib from Israel because of their support for the boycott, divest, and sanctions movement.

“I certainly hope that the people of Israel make a different decision and my hope is that they recognize that [Netanyahu’s] existence, his policies, his rhetoric really is contradictory to the peace that we are all hoping that region receives and receives soon,” the Minnesota Democrat told Face the Nation on Sunday.

“Just right now, if you look at the annexation that is taking place, for many of us in Congress, there has been longstanding support for a two-state solution, and this annexation now is going to make sure that that peace process does not happen and we will not get to a two-state solution,” she continued. “I think what is really important is for people to understand is that you have to give people the opportunity to seek the kind of justice they want in a peaceful way and I think the opportunity to boycott, divest, sanction is the kind of the pressure that leads to that peaceful process.”

Omar reiterated her point on her personal Twitter account, writing, “Netanyahu’s existence as the leader of Israel has diminished any hope for a two-state solution and we can’t be expected to be silent about that!”

Netanyahu’s existence as the leader of Israel has diminished any hope for a two-state solution and we can’t be expected to be silent about that! https://t.co/A6pVIGWc59

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) September 15, 2019

Netanyahu’s office released a statement justifying their ban on Omar and Tlaib because “it became clear that they are planning a trip whose sole purpose was strengthening the boycott and negating the legitimacy of Israel.”

Tlaib asked Israel for permission to visit her grandmother in the West Bank, which the country granted before Tlaib decided she would not go, claiming such a visit would “kill a piece of me.”