US alleged travel ban on Israeli settlers to come into force soon

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios
5 Dec 2023 20:05

This proposed ban marks the initial phase of sanctions directed at some 'too extreme' Israeli settlers since the Clinton administration.

The State Department in Washington, Monday, Dec. 15, 2014. (AP)

Axios reported on Tuesday that the US State Department is expected to enact a travel ban on Israeli settlers engaged in "violent attacks" against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

The announcement is expected as early as Tuesday, the report says.

Though the travel ban would prevent Israeli settlers involved in "violent attacks" from traveling to the US, holders of US citizenship would reportedly remain unaffected by this measure, according to two US officials.

According to the report, the State Department is also anticipated to enforce a travel ban on Palestinians engaged in resistance operations against Israelis.

According to UN figures, 2023 is heading to become the deadliest year for Palestinian citizens in the occupied West Bank, with 248 Palestinian fatalities recorded at the hands of Israeli Occupation Forces and illegal settlers before October 7.

Since that time, the level of Israeli violence has surged dramatically, with the tally of Palestinians martyred remaining at the same figure.

Irreparable damage

This comes as part of efforts for the US to repair its reputation and avoid a regional escalation after sustaining enormous damage to its support and sponsorship of the Israeli-led genocide in Gaza.

Several US military bases and warships have been targeted by resistance groups over the past weeks due to US complicity in the Gaza genocide.

Some reports have recently pointed out that the rift between "Israel" and the US has been widening due to the genocide.

The reality however is that the US is fully supportive of Israeli actions has been mulling ways to further expedite the genocide before elections are due to be held.

Congress has been working on providing a standalone bill that would issue funding worth $106 billion for "Israel."

But certain conditions are standing in the way of its approval as Democrats are requesting more transparency in the disbursement of aid.

Legislators are hoping that the bill will go into effect before the year's end.

While the Israelis are continuing their genocidal campaign in Gaza, Israeli reports have pointed out that operations and wars over the years that have not ended with "total victory" have resulted in a decline in confidence in the Israeli government.

According to Lebanese MP Mohammad Raad, the genocide has resulted in a severe loss of international legitimacy for "Israel".