Pascrell Criticizes Barring of Congresswomen

PATERSON, NJ – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today reacted to reports that the state of Israel was barring entry to two members of Congress.

“This decision is wrong, shows profound disrespect for the U.S. Congress, and should be rescinded,” said Rep. Pascrell, a stalwart supporter of the Jewish state. “I am no friend of the BDS movement because it wrongly demonizes Israel and does not take steps towards peace in the Middle East. But Israel is a democracy, the only one in its region, and democracies are built on the free exchange of ideas. It is antithetical to the egalitarian ideas that have nurtured Israel into the vibrant nation it is today. Our ally is treading a perilous path by heeding Donald Trump’s provocations and injecting partisan politics into our relations.”

Rep. Pascrell signed a bipartisan congressional letter to the American Studies Association in 2014 opposing their decision to boycott Israeli colleges and universities. Pascrell also has repeatedly sought to stomp out anti-Semitic behavior here in the United States and around the world. In July, he penned an op-ed for the Bergen Record wherein he highlighted the tragic Tree of Life synagogue shooting as indisputable proof that right-wing extremism must be combatted by all levels of government. He has also led an effort to rename a U.S. State Department auditorium named for a former diplomat that had opposed American recognition of the Jewish state.

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