Israel: Minister doesn’t rule out visit by Ocasio-Cortez, critics of Israel

Making contact: Orit Farkash Hacohen, Israel’s minister of tourism and strategic affairs, says that the Israeli government has “not put enough attention” on outreach to Democrats in the United States over the past four years. The close relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, and Trump’s unprecedented support for Israel, including relocating the US Embassy to Jerusalem, has appeared to crowd out contacts with Democrats at a time when a new and vocal generation of progressives in the party have been critical of US policy toward Israel.

Taking initiative: Hacohen, in an exclusive interview with Ben Caspit, said she has taken it upon herself to keep up contacts with Democrats, and that this outreach has been well received.

Not just about "convincing the convinced": Hacohen said that official Israeli engagement with Americans is “not only about convincing the convinced.” Asked if she would consider welcoming Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., both of whom have been critical of US policies toward Israel, Hacohen did not rule it out. Criticism of Israel, even tough criticism, should not be a reason to turn away guests given Israel’s commitment to freedom of speech, Hacohen added.

Hard feelings: Ocasio-Cortez faced questions in October from pro-Israel and pro-peace groups for not participating in an Americans for Peace Now event on the 25th anniversary of former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination.