WASHINGTON – Israeli officials said Thursday they would bar two American members of Congress, Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., from visiting the country – shortly after President Donald Trump encouraged Israel to take that extraordinary step.

Trump has feuded with the two women over Israel and other issues. Thursday, he ramped up that domestic political spat by pressuring Israel to block their trip.  

"It would show great weakness if Israel allowed Rep. Omar and Rep. Tlaib to visit," Trump tweeted Thursday morning. "They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds." 

Omar and Tlaib – the first Muslim women to serve in Congress – had planned to travel to Jerusalem and the West Bank, among other stops, this weekend.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is engaged in a difficult reelection fight, announced the decision less than two hours after Trump's provocative

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