Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement Thursday that Israel’s decision to ban Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) is based on an Israeli law that “prohibits the entry into Israel of those who call for and work to impose boycotts on Israel, as do other democracies that prohibit the entry of people who seek to harm the country.” Their request revealed just that.

The congressional pair submitted a request to enter “Palestine.”

Highlighting the two lawmakers motives for their trip, Netanyahu cited, “Only a few days ago, we received their itinerary for their visit in Israel, which revealed that they planned a visit whose sole objective is to strengthen the boycott against us and deny Israel’s legitimacy.”

Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s continued support of the U.S. and congress, and he shared that last week Israel hosted a bipartisan group of 70 U.S. lawmakers. Further, Netanyahu said, Tlaib, may have a chance at entering if she “submits a humanitarian request to visit her relatives, the minister of interior has announced that he will consider her request on the condition that she pledges not to act to promote boycotts against Israel during her visit.”

with one exception: Israeli law prohibits the entry into Israel of those who call for and work to impose boycotts on Israel, as do other democracies that prohibit the entry of people who seek to harm the country. — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 15, 2019

Only a few days ago, we received their itinerary for their visit in Israel, which revealed that they planned a visit whose sole objective is to strengthen the boycott against us and deny Israel’s legitimacy. — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 15, 2019

A week ago, Israel warmly welcomed some 70 Democratic and Republican members of Congress, who expressed broad bipartisan support for Israel, which was also demonstrated a month ago in a resounding bipartisan vote against BDS in Congress. — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 15, 2019

In addition, the organization that is funding their trip is Miftah, which is an avid supporter of BDS, and among whose members are those who have expressed support for terrorism against Israel. — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 15, 2019