Press Releases

On Friday, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) appeared on Fox News’ Outnumbered Overtime to discuss his recent trip to Israel as well as the denial of Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)’s entry into Israel. Waltz returned Friday from a weeklong trip highlighting the economic, academic and cultural bonds between the United States and Israel. Both Omar and Tlaib were invited on the trip.

“There were 40 Democrats and 31 Republicans on this trip,” Waltz said. “It was bipartisan. We talked to Bibi Netanyahu, talked to the Palestinian Authority…[we] heard all sides and I was disappointed that they didn’t come. My understanding is that all freshmen were invited. They really could have learned a lot.”

On Thursday, U.S. Reps. Omar and Tlaib were barred entry into Israel for their support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which has been criticized for anti-Semitism, ties to terrorism and its attempts to delegitimize Israel.

Tlaib was later granted entry for a visit to the West Bank on Humanitarian grounds but canceled her trip on Friday. During the trip to Israel, Waltz and members on the congressional trip spoke with the Palestinian Authority as well as Israeli officials. Waltz noted the two congresswomen’s agenda did not appear to include any conversations with Israeli officials, only with Palestinians.

“[We have to] hear all sides. That wasn’t their agenda. Their agenda was only to hear one side.

“I understand the Israeli government’s position in allowing them to come [to Israel,]” Waltz said. “I would have supported that. Kevin McCarthy has supported that – but once they saw that their agenda was solely to go to the West Bank and they’re such avid backers of the BDS movement…look, the Israelis have every right to deny someone to come [there].”

A video of the interview is available here.