U.S announces visa ban on Israeli, Palestinians in West Bank

 

WASHINGTON – The United States of America today announced a visa ban against Israelis attacking Palestinians and vice versa in the West Bank.

In a statement, Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken said the United States has consistently opposed actions that undermine stability in the West Bank, including attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, and Palestinian attacks against Israelis.

“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.

He explained that as President Biden has repeatedly said, those attacks are unacceptable. “Last week in Israel, I made clear that the United States is ready to take action using our own authorities.

“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.

“ Immediate family members of such persons also may be subject to these restrictions. We will continue to seek accountability for all acts of violence against civilians in the West Bank, regardless of the perpetrator or the victim. We also continue to engage with the Israeli leadership to make clear that Israel must take additional measures to protect Palestinian civilians from extremist attacks”, he said.

Blinken said the United States will also continue to engage the Palestinian Authority to make clear what it must do more to curb Palestinian attacks against Israelis.

“Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have the responsibility to uphold stability in the West Bank. Instability in the West Bank both harms the Israeli and Palestinian people and threatens Israel’s national security interests. Those responsible for it must be held accountable”, Blinken said.