Dec 5, 2023 at 8:22 PM Update: 6 hours ago
The United States will refuse visas to extremist Israeli settlers. These are people who have attacked or otherwise harmed Palestinians in the West Bank. The measures may also apply to their family members.
The measures apply to anyone who “undermines peace, security or stability in the West Bank,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday in an explanation of the new visa policy.
President Joe Biden and other senior officials have regularly called on Israel to act against Israeli settlers’ violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. That violence has increased since October 7. The Israeli army is also carrying out more frequent actions in the area.
According to Palestinian authorities, more than 250 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since October 7.
“We have emphasized to the Israeli government that more must be done to hold accountable the settlers who have committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank,” Blinken said. He said he also emphasized in Israel last week that the US itself would take action.
The West Bank has been occupied by Israel since 1967. Since then, Israelis have been building settlements in the area. This is prohibited under international law, but the extreme right-wing parties in the government support the colonists. The illegal settlements lead to frustration among the Palestinian population.
Image: Israeli tanks in action in Jenin in the West Bank on December 5, Getty Images
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IsraelUnited StatesWest BankForeignIsraeli-Palestinian conflict
2023-12-05 19:22:12
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