FEMINIST icon Gloria Steinem has described Israel’s prime minister as a “bully” and says she will not visit his country as long as he remains leader.
In an online statement, she said Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to bar a visit by two Democratic congresswomen was “a welcome sign that I never have to enter any country or place under your authority”.
The activist’s comments followed news that Israeli troops had killed three Palestinians and severely wounded a fourth near the Gaza Strip’s heavily guarded perimeter fence. The Israeli military said a helicopter and a tank fired at armed suspects near the fence overnight on Saturday.
Last week, after receiving pressure from Donald Trump, Israel denied entry to Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar over their support for the Palestinian-led boycott movement.
“I know that Donald Trump, the accidental occupant of the White House, is drawn to successful bullies,” Steinem wrote, addressing Netanyahu. “If you and Trump continue to imitate each other, you will eventually be alone together at the table. I could wish both of you no greater punishment than that.”
Israel later granted permission for Tlaib to visit her grandmother in the occupied West Bank, and released a letter purportedly signed by her in which she promised not to advocate boycotts while there. She then declined to travel, saying the “oppressive” conditions were designed to humiliate her.
She tweeted she could not allow Israel to “use my love for my sity (grandmother) to bow down to their oppressive & racist policies”. Supporters have rallied under the hashtag #MyPalestinianSitty, posting pictures of their grandmothers and stories of their struggles under Israeli occupation.
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