Israel’s embassy in Washington exchanged letters with 15 members of Congress who sought answers about the treatment of Arab and Muslim Americans at Israel’s borders.
The June 4 congressional letter presses for answers on what the 15 signatories consider unfair treatment. It was initiated by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the first Muslim to be elected to Congress.
The letter notes reports that Israel profiles Muslim and Arab Americans; that this year Israel turned away an American who taught at a school in the West Bank; that some Americans receive “Palestinian Authority Only” visas allowing them to stay only within the West Bank; and that Israel requires some U.S. citizens to turn on their computers or other devices and show them their email accounts.
“We ask that you work with us to ensure that all American citizens are treated equally at Israeli ports of entry,” the letter said.
In a June 12 reply, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Michael Oren, said that since 2002 — during the barrage of terrorist attacks of the second intifada — Israel has restricted access to Israel for some Palestinian Americans, requiring them to stay within the West Bank.
The embassy and Ellison’s office refused requests for comment on the letters, which were revealed last week in an Associated Press story. — jta