Pinning the Tail on the Donkey

Omar answered affirmatively, but surprised us both when she added: “I intend to go there and find out for myself.” Only moments before, she had declared in the Foreign Relations Committee that she would present a resolution supporting “every form of boycott” — i.e., including the BDS movement.

Theoretically, there is no connection between Omar’s resolution and her intended visit to Israel. But to play the conspiracy theorist for just one minute, it’s not at all impossible that Omar is aware of the Israeli BDS law, which empowers the Interior Ministry to deny entry to anyone supporting sanctions on Israel.

By presenting the BDS resolution immediately before announcing a visit to Israel, Omar is effectively saying: “Hah, let’s see you try to keep me from coming.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office considered the offer carefully. Ron Dermer, the ambassador in Washington, was able to affirm by Friday morning that “out of respect for Congress,” Israel would allow Omar’s entry, as well as that of another BDS supporter, Rashida Tlaib.