Credit:  Gary Raynaldo  /   Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations at press conference prior to speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East  at world headquarters in New York Aug. 20, 2019.

By Gary Raynaldo      DIPLOMATIC TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –  NEW YORK   –  Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon Tuesday defended his government’s  action last week barring two Democratic US congresswomen from entering the  country.  Israel banned Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota from visiting the country.   Giving into intense pressure from President Trump,  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s   barred the two members of the United States Congress from entering Israel for an official visit.  The Democratic congresswomen are outspoken critics of Israel  who have voiced their support for the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, known as BDS.   Israel’s decision to block congresswomen Omar and Tlaib drew widespread criticism

Credit: Wikipedia Commons /  Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota (right)  Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan

“We welcome everyone to come and visit our beautiful country, our beautiful democracy. A few days ago, a Congressional group came to Israel and Democrats and Republicans alike came and met with President Netenyahu, met others.  But those two Congresswomen did not want to come along. They wanted to come and create a provocation to incite, and that thing we can not allow. They wanted to come and create a provocation , and that led to the decision.”

Danny Danon, Israel Ambassador to the United Nations speaking outside UN Security Council chambers at world headquarters in New York  Aug. 20,  2019.

DIPLOMATIC TIMES Video  /  Danny Danon, Israel Ambassador to the United Nations speaking  at press conference outside UN Security Council chambers at world headquarters in New York  Aug. 20,  2019 explains decision to ban Congresswomen from entering Israel. 

Congresswoman  Omar Says Trump’s Muslim Ban Is What Israel Is Implementing Against Her and Rep. Tlaib 

It is an affront that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, under pressure from President Trump, would deny entry to representatives of the U.S. government.

My full statement: pic.twitter.com/v00ESmehXT

— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) August 15, 2019

Ambassador Danon also also spoke at Tuesday’s UN Security Council meeting held to address the situation in the Middle East.

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo  /  Danny Danon, Israel Ambassador to the United Nations speaking  at press conference outside UN Security Council chambers at world headquarters in New York  Aug. 20,  2019

Israeli Ambassador Blames  IRAN  For Funding Terrorism In Middle East

“Today the Security Council  will address yet again the issue of peace and security in the Middle East where I have mentioned are the real threats, the terrorists, and we all know where it comes from, we all know who is funding them.  Most of the violence, terror and chaos engrossing the region leads back to one place:  to Tehran.  Behind closed doors, many of the ambassadors and leaders freely admit these facts. They understand that Israel is the leading force in the fight against radical Islamic terror.  And we will fight where ever we have to fight and we will be there.  And today I will speak directly to the Arab world. I will tell them that Israel  can be and wants to be your partner in building a better future.  Israel is not the problem in the Middle East.  Israel is part of the solution.”

 -Danny Danon, Israel Ambassador to United Nations