By Blessing Chinagorom
The United States has taken action to address the escalating violence in the West Bank by implementing a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
This was disclosed to Pressmen at the briefing on Tuesday through the State Department Spokesperson, Mathew Miller said violence in the West Bank this year is at levels not seen since the Second Intifada, and in recent weeks, an alarming surge in violent acts has driven this unwelcome record even higher.
Which he said it includes unprecedented levels of violence by Israeli extremist settlers targeting Palestinians and their property, displacing entire communities, as well as violence by Palestinian extremist militants against Israeli civilians.
According to him, “Today, as President Biden recently warned, the United States is taking action to address this escalating violence in the West Bank by implementing a new visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
“Under this policy, the United States will pursue visa restrictions against individuals involved in or meaningfully contributing to the undermining of peace, security, or stability in the West Bank.
“This includes acts of violence against persons or property, as well as undue restrictions on civilians’ access to essential services and basic necessities. Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions” he said.
Miller stated that the department is pursuing initial action against individuals pursuant to this visa restriction policy today. “We will designate additional individuals pursuant to this policy in the coming days.
“We unequivocally condemn attacks by violent Israeli extremists against Palestinians, and those by violent Palestinians extremists against Israelis.
“These acts threaten West Bank stability in the immediate term and take us further away from a future in which Palestinians and Israelis can both live in – both can live in peace and security, in two states”, he added.
The Spokesman recalled what Secretary of state, Antony Blinken made clear to leaders of the Government of Israel last week during his visit to the region, that they need to do more to stop extremist violence against Palestinians, and hold those responsible for it accountable.
He said United States will continue to insist that both Israeli and Palestinian leaders take action to interrupt the increasing levels of violence against civilians. “Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have responsibility to uphold stability and protect civilians in the West Bank.
“Such measures are particularly critical at this juncture. Both Israelis and Palestinians deserve a horizon of hope free from the violence – free from violence, intimidation, and threats. The United States will continue to work to bring this vision closer to reality” Mathew Miller added.
Responding to this action, Blinken said the United States has consistently opposed actions that undermine stability in the West Bank, including attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, and Palestinian attacks against Israelis.
He said, “We have underscored to the Israeli government the need to do more to hold accountable extremist settlers who have committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.
“As President Biden has repeatedly said, those attacks are unacceptable. Last week in Israel, I made clear that the United States is ready to take action using our own authorities.
Blinken confirmed that the State Department is implementing 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.
“We will continue to seek accountability for all acts of violence against civilians in the West Bank, regardless of the perpetrator or the victim. We also continue to engage with the Israeli leadership to make clear that Israel must take additional measures to protect Palestinian civilians from extremist attacks.
“We will also continue to engage the Palestinian Authority to make clear it must do more to curb Palestinian attacks against Israelis. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have the responsibility to uphold stability in the West Bank.
“Instability in the West Bank both harms the Israeli and Palestinian people and threatens Israel’s national security interests. Those responsible for it must be held accountable”, Secretary Blinken concluded.