In a rare punitive move against Israel, the State Department said Tuesday it will impose travel bans on extremist Jewish settlers implicated in a rash of recent attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Quick Read
- Travel Bans on Extremist Settlers: The U.S. State Department announced the imposition of travel bans on extremist Jewish settlers implicated in recent attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
- Secretary Blinken’s Announcement: Secretary of State Antony Blinken made this announcement, following his warnings to Israel last week about the Biden administration’s planned actions in response to these attacks.
- Individual Visa Bans: While Blinken did not specify individual visa bans, officials indicated that such bans, affecting dozens of settlers and their families, would be implemented this week.
- Message to Israeli Government: Blinken emphasized that the U.S. has urged the Israeli government to hold accountable extremist settlers who have committed violent attacks against Palestinians.
- New Visa Restriction Policy: The State Department is implementing a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals involved in undermining peace, security, or stability in the West Bank, including those committing violence or restricting civilians’ access to essential services.
- U.S. Commitment to Accountability: The U.S. continues to seek accountability for settler violence against Palestinians, as well as Palestinian attacks against Israelis, particularly amidst heightened tensions due to the Gaza conflict.
- Responsibilities of Israel and Palestinian Authority: Blinken noted that both Israel and the Palestinian Authority are responsible for upholding stability in the West Bank, stressing that instability harms both Israeli and Palestinian people and threatens Israel’s national security interests.
- Impact on Visa Waiver Program: This decision comes a month after Israel’s entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Those targeted by the travel bans will not be eligible for this program, and current U.S. visa holders among them will have their visas revoked.
The Associated Press has the story:
In a rare action against Israel, US barred extremist West Bank settlers from America
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
In a rare punitive move against Israel, the State Department said Tuesday it will impose travel bans on extremist Jewish settlers implicated in a rash of recent attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the step after warning Israel last week that President Joe Biden’s administration would be taking action over the attacks. Blinken did not announce individual visa bans, but officials said those would be coming this week and could affect dozens of settlers and their families.
“We have underscored to the Israeli government the need to do more to hold accountable extremist settlers who have committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank,” Blinken said in a statement. “As President Biden has repeatedly said, those attacks are unacceptable.”
“Today, the State Department is implementing a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals believed to have been involved in undermining peace, security or stability in the West Bank, including through committing acts of violence or taking other actions that unduly restrict civilians’ access to essential services and basic necessities,” Blinken said.
He said the U.S. would continue to seek accountability for settler violence against Palestinians as well as Palestinian attacks against Israelis in the West Bank and Israel, particularly as tensions are extremely high due to the conflict in Gaza.
“Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have the responsibility to uphold stability in the West Bank,” Blinken said. “Instability in the West Bank both harms the Israeli and Palestinian people and threatens Israel’s national security interests.”
Tuesday’s move comes just a month after Israel was granted entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which allows its citizens visa-free entry into the U.S. Those targeted will not be eligible for the program, and those who hold current U.S. visas will have them revoked.
