The Biden administration has conveyed to “Israel” that it will enforce visa bans within the next few weeks on Israeli extremist settlers involved in violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank.
The Biden administration has conveyed to “Israel” that it will enforce visa bans within the next few weeks on Israeli extremist settlers involved in violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank.
A senior State Department official revealed that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet, informed them of their intention to take action against an undisclosed number of individuals. The West Bank has witnessed a surge in violence recently, attributed to the expansion of Israeli settlements.
The violence in the West Bank, reaching a more-than-15-year high this year, intensified further after “Israel” launched a new war in Gaza on October 7. In response to the query, Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy stated that he had no comment on the matter but claimed that “Israel” condemnation of any vigilantism or attempts by individuals to take the law into their own hands.
Expressing concern over the escalating violence in the West Bank, the United States has repeatedly emphasized the need for it to cease. President Joe Biden, in a November 18 opinion piece in The Washington Post, issued a warning of potential action against those responsible.
“I have been emphatic with Israel’s leaders that extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank must stop and that those committing the violence must be held accountable. The United States is prepared to take our own steps, including issuing visa bans against extremists attacking civilians in the West Bank,” Biden said.
The State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, mentioned that the US desires “Israel” to prosecute those responsible for the violence but has not witnessed such action yet. The official indicated that visa bans could be implemented in the coming weeks.
Source: AlMayadeen
