By Saphora Smith and Lawahez Jabari
“I have decided that visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions stands against everything I believe in,” she wrote on Twitter.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat and the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, said Friday that she had decided not to visit her grandmother in the West Bank after Israel granted her permission, describing the conditions placed on her visit as “oppressive.”
“I have decided that visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions stands against everything I believe in — fighting against racism, oppression & injustice,” Tlaib tweeted Friday.
Israel earlier announced it had granted the permission.
“Interior Minister Aryeh Deri decided on Friday to approve the entry of US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib for a humanitarian visit of her 90-year-old grandmother,” the interior ministry said in a statement Friday.
Her announcement came a day after Israel said it was barring Tlaib and fellow Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota from visiting Israel and accused them of attempting to “boycott and negate Israel’s legitimacy.”
The interior ministry said early Friday that Tlaib had sent a letter asking to be granted access in which she promised to not promote boycotts against Israel and to respect the restrictions imposed on her during her visit.
Her request was granted and the interior ministry “expressed hope that she would honor her commitment.”