Israel decides to let Rep. Rashida Tlaib enter the country on humanitarian grounds, despite pressure from Trump to bar her

Israel has said that it will allow Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib into the country, even after US President Donald Trump publicly urged the Israeli government to bar her.

On Friday morning Israel's Interior Minister, Aryeh Deri, said he would approve a request Tlaib made to enter on humanitarian grounds, according to a statement reported by the Washington Post and Reuters.

Tlaib's family is from Palestine, and her 90-year-old grandmother lives there.

According to The Jerusalem Post, Tlaib referred to her grandmother in her application, saying: "This could be my last opportunity to see her."

The letter also said: "I will respect any restrictions and will not promote any boycotts against Israel during my visit."

It is an apparent reversal from the Israeli government position on Thursday, when deputy foreign minister Tzipi Hotovely said that both Tlaib and Rep. Ilhan Omar would be denied entry.

Both Tlaib and Omar, who represents a district in Minnesota, have supported the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to punish Israel economically for its treatment of the Palestinian people.

They had planned to visit Israel with Miftah, a non-profit organization.

Trump has targeted both Congresswomen over their criticisms of Israeli government policy, branding them as anti-Semitic.

He urged Isreal not to allow them into the country in tweets on Thursday: "It would show great weakness if Israel allowed Rep. Omar and Rep.Tlaib to visit. They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds.

"Minnesota and Michigan will have a hard time putting them back in office. They are a disgrace!"

His statements were criticized by Democrats and even by the powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which lobbies the US government and advocates for a close relationship between the US and Israel.

AIPAC said it disagrees with Omar and Tlaib's criticisms of Israel but said: "We also believe every member of Congress should be able to visit and experience our democratic ally Israel firsthand."