Michael Ben Ari shunned over association with Kach, designated by US as terror group

The US government has refused to grant MK Michael Ben Ari (National Union) a visa to enter because of his association with Kach, a far right organization designated by the US as a terrorist organization.

The issue prompted Knesset Speaker, Reuven Rivlin to send an angry letter to US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, demanding the issue be reconsidered, Yedioth Ahronth reported Friday.

Ben Ari is a member of the National Union party, which is a legitimate faction of the Israeli parliament, Rivlin wrote. The rightist MK is an elected representative of the people of Israel, a close friend of the US, and regarding him as a member of a terrorist group and banning him from the US is outrageous, the Knesset speaker added. Addressing the issue, Ben Ari noted "the US government openly welcomed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who called for the destruction of Israel."

"The American government chose to forbid me from meeting with memebers of the Jewish community in the US, on the grounds of me being a terrorist," he said. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 02/25/12)