The Biden administration announced a visa ban on Israeli settlers in the West Bank whom the U.S. believes to be connected to extremist violence against Palestinians. The decision would restrict those Israelis from traveling to the U.S.
The State Department announced the restriction on December 5, 2023:
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.
Secretary Blinken said that the Biden administration wants Israeli leaders to take action against settler violence and that the U.S. plans to take its own action. Many of the settlers involved in the violence are also U.S. citizens, but the U.S. cannot restrict their movement. Settler violence in the West Bank has risen following the October 7 Hamas Attacks.
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