Benjamin Netanyahu has barred two Muslim-American Democrat congresswomen from entering Israel after Donald Trump said it would show “great weakness” if he allowed them in.

The move will inflame tensions between the Israeli prime minister and the Democratic Party but will also delight Mr Trump, who has repeatedly targeted both women with racial attacks.

It may also set a precedent that could see Jeremy Corbyn barred from visiting Israel or the Palestinian territories because he supports boycotting Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, the first Muslim women in Congress, were due to arrive this weekend for a tour of Jerusalem and several West Bank Palestinian cities.

Both have expressed support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement, which encourages boycotts of Israel in protest of its treatment of the Palestinians.

Under Israeli law, BDS supporters can be barred from entering the country. But Israel’s ambassador in Washington said previously that Ms Omar and Ms Tlaib would be allowed in “out of respect for the US Congress”.

Israel’s government reversed course amid pressure from Mr Trump, who made it clear he wanted the women to be barred.

“It would show great weakness if Israel allowed Rep. Omar and Rep.Tlaib to visit,” he said on Twitter. “They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds.”