US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has turned down entry into Israel on 'humanitarian grounds'.
The Palestinian-American, who has family in the occupied West Bank, was initially denied entry along with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
It is thought to relate to their support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which is working to end international support for Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
It also came after US President Donald Trump suggested allowing them into Israel would "show great weakness".
This led to major criticism of Israel, which many saw as curtailing to Mr Trump's demands.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was "deeply saddened" by it, adding that it was "beneath the dignity of the great state of Israel".
Presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren called it a "shameful, unprecedented move".
The prominent Senator argued: "Israel doesn't advance its case as a tolerant democracy or unwavering US ally by barring elected members of Congress from visiting because of their political views."
That was echoed by Bernie Sanders, who called the move "a sign of enormous disrespect to these elected leaders".
Ms Tlaib herself said it was a "sign of weakness".
This woman right here is my sity. She deserves to live in peace & with human dignity. I am who I am because of her. The decision by Israel to bar her granddaughter, a U.S. Congresswoman, is a sign of weakness b/c the truth of what is happening to Palestinians is frightening. pic.twitter.com/GGcFLiH9N3
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 15, 2019
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the door open for Ms Tlaib to submit a request for her to visit her relatives on humanitarian grounds.
The request was granted by the country's interior ministry.
However, Ms Tlaib said she will now not be going on the trip - citing Israel's "oppressive and racist policies".
In a series of tweets, she said: "When I won, it gave the Palestinian people hope that someone will finally speak the truth about the inhumane conditions.
"I can't allow the State of Israel to take away that light by humiliating me & use my love for my sity [grandmother] to bow down to their oppressive & racist policies.
"Silencing me & treating me like a criminal is not what she wants for me.
"It would kill a piece of me.
"I have decided that visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions stands against everything I believe in--fighting against racism, oppression & injustice."
Silencing me & treating me like a criminal is not what she wants for me. It would kill a piece of me. I have decided that visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions stands against everything I believe in--fighting against racism, oppression & injustice. https://t.co/z5t5j3qk4H
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 16, 2019
Additional reporting: Jack Quann
