US Announces Visa Ban on Israeli Settlers Responsible for Violence in West Bank

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States started to impose a visa ban on Tuesday, Dec. 5 on people involved in violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Washington officials said.

The ban was announced after several appeals for Israel to do more to prevent violence by Jewish settlers.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that “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 necessities."

Settler attacks have surged over the last few months against Palestinians in the West Bank as illegal Jewish settlements have expanded in the occupied area, and again post-Oct. 7 attack. 

"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," US President Joe Biden wrote in an opinion piece in the Washington Post on Nov. 18.

He added that the US was prepared to take its steps, including issuing visa bans against extremists attacking civilians in the West Bank.

Blinken also made clear to Israeli officials during a visit last week that "they need to do more to stop extremist violence against Palestinians, and hold those responsible for it accountable," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters in a press briefing after the announcement.

The first bans under the new policy would be imposed on Tuesday and more designations will be made in the coming days, Miller said. Palestinian leaders must also do more to curb Palestinian attacks against Israelis in the West Bank, he added.

"We expect ultimately for this action to impact dozens of individuals and potentially their family members," Miller said. He added that any Israeli with an existing US visa who was targeted would be notified that their visa was revoked.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs earlier reported that eight Palestinians including one child had been killed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Meanwhile, 244 Palestinians including 65 children have been murdered by Israeli forces in the West Bank since Oct. 7.

NABIILA AZZAHRA | REUTERS 

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