CAIR-NJ Denounces Israel’s Barring NJ Resident from Entering, Calls on U.S. to Enforce Anti-Discrimination Clause Within Visa Waiver Program  

(NEWARK, NJ – 6/30/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, denounces Israel’s barring a delegation of travelers from the U.S. from entering Israel on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Six of the nine travelers are U.S. citizens. One citizen, a native of New Jersey, was told she could not enter due to her family’s roots in Gaza. CAIR-NJ is calling on the U.S. State Department to enforce reciprocity requirements of the U.S. Visa Waiver program, enabling them to enter Israel.  

Leading experts and Congressional leaders have been cautioning against admitting Israel into the program. Even President Barack Obama declined to admit Israel during his time in office given the high rate of denials of U.S. citizens with Palestinian heritage at Israel’s ports of entry. 

READ: Israel is Unlikely to Respect US Visa Waiver Program Requirements 

READ: Van Hollen, Schatz Lead More Than a Dozen Colleagues in Letter to Administration on Israel’s Non-Compliance with Key Visa Waiver Program Requirements 

Sir Rateb Rabie, President of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF), a non-profit dedicated to the well-being of Arab Christians in Israel and the occupied territories, was leading a group of American and international delegates to Israel on a mission to learn and connect with residents on the ground. They were attempting to enter Israel at the King Hussein/Allenby bridge from Jordan when they were interrogated for hours and subsequently turned away, despite having valid Electronic Travel Authorizations.  

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said: 

“Many advocates and government leaders, including former President Barack Obama during his time in office, opposed Israel’s entering the U.S. Visa Waiver program because of its history of discrimination against Palestinian Americans at its borders. The refusal to admit Sir Rateb’s delegation highlights one instance of Israeli authorities’ tactics to refuse Palestinian Americans’ entry.” 

Rateb Rabie, Delegation Leader and President/CEO of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) “What happened today is not only unjust—it is a violation of basic human rights and a breach of the reciprocity commitments Israel made under the Visa Waiver Program. Our delegation followed every required procedure, yet we were met with intimidation, humiliation, and an unexplained denial of entry. Despite this painful experience, our commitment to our people and our mission remains stronger than ever.” 

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238 

This week’s vote came after nearly five years of delays by Marlboro Township, during which more than half a dozen scheduled hearings on the zoning application were canceled by the Board, imposing severe financial hardship and emotional toll on the Marlboro Muslim community. Only when a court ordered the township to complete hearings and render a vote on the application did the Board comply. After six total hearings spanning two years, during which local residents exhibited strong anti-Muslim sentiments both in person and online, the Board voted unanimously to reject the application.

On comments to a Facebook post by Asbury Park Press in which they reported on the delays and subsequent lawsuit on January 9, 2026, users commented:

“They have space in the middle east for mosques Marlboro is out of space[,]” and “Islam does not belong in this country[,] time to ban it.”

SEE: Over 200 come out to hear plans for mosque in residential neighborhood in Marlboro

Marlboro Mayor’s own Facebook post about the zoning hearings had many hateful comments. See hateful comment from alleged Marlboro resident.

SEE: Alleged Resident Facebook Comment

In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:

“As we have seen in Wayne, and in several other municipalities across New Jersey, anti-Muslim and not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) types try to shut down the development of mosques across our state. I would like to remind the Zoning Board that federal laws exist, like the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, precisely so municipalities cannot shut down the development of houses of worship by hiding behind zoning technicalities. I have no doubt that with the laws on our side, the Muslim community of Marlboro will be successful in constructing this mosque.”

Other Muslim Communities denied the right to establish houses of worship include The Islamic Society of Basking Ridge and the Garden State Islamic Center. The iPray mosque in Wayne is undergoing a similar zoning fight.

SEE: Outrage Over Wayne Mosque Prompts Legal Action From Residents

SEE: Federal Judge Rules New Jersey Town Discriminated in Mosque Case

SEE: CAIR-NJ ‘Strongly Supports’ Lawsuit Against Sayreville For Rejecting Mosque

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims. 

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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-123