US announces visa ban on Israeli settlers attacking Palestinians

 

The United States has declared a visa ban on Israeli settlers engaged in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the move on Tuesday, December 5, in response to increasing incidents of Israeli settler violence. The State Department's new visa restriction policy targets individuals believed to have undermined peace, security, or stability in the West Bank through violent acts or actions restricting civilians' access to essential services. Immediate family members of such individuals may also be subject to these restrictions. 

The U.S. emphasizes the need for accountability for all acts of violence against civilians in the West Bank and urges the Palestinian Authority to do more to curb attacks against Israelis. The increase in attacks in the West Bank follows surprise attacks by Hamas on Israel in October, causing a significant rise in Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians, leading to the displacement of around 1,000 Palestinians, according to UN reports. Since the conflict began, 246 Palestinians, including 65 children, have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, with eight killed by settlers.