The US to impose visa restrictions on Israeli extremists in West Bank
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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.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a press conference in occupied Palestine, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 (AP)
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.
Read next: In new violence surge, Israeli settlers attack Palestinians in W. Bank
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.
Read more: Biden urges Netanyahu to cease-fire on Northern front amid Gaza truce
Blinken disregards systematic Israeli brutality
The Secretary of State's remarks come with a complete disregard for brutal Israeli policies employed in the West Bank, which highlight systematic measures taken by Israeli authorities.
Israeli occupation forces have executed near-daily incursions and raids on cities and towns of the West Bank since October 7. In this context, more than 3,000 Palestinians have been detained, a large portion of whom are administratively detained.
Earlier on Wednesday, two Palestinian children were cold-bloodily killed by Israeli occupation forces' gunfire in Jenin in the occupied West Bank.
Adam Samer al-Ghoul, 8 years old, and Bassel Suleiman Abu al-Wafa, 15 years old, were shot and killed by the occupation forces on Wednesday afternoon. Footage shows that one of the children was shot right in front of his family home in al-Basateen District.
Yet, the US support to "Israel" has been relentless, as the latter wages an indiscriminate war on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Read more: Unlawful detention of Palestinians further exposed
