US admits rise in Israeli violence, says mulling visa restrictions

The US Embassy in occupied al-Quds is considering rejecting visas to Israelis involved in violence against Palestinians who have seen a dramatic rise in military and settler attacks in the occupied West Bank.

According to Tel Aviv-based Hayom daily, the policy aims to encourage Israel to adopt necessary measures to restrain unbridled violence and willingness by Israeli settlers to participate in violent acts against Palestinians.

According to US visa regulations, anyone involved in violent acts may not be eligible to enter the country. However, these rules have rarely been used against Israelis.

A US State Department spokesperson noted that “visa applications are adjudicated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with all applicable law.”

“We have been clear about our deep concerns over the increase in Israeli-Palestinian violence,” the spokesperson was quoted by to Middle East Monitor as saying.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has named 2022 as the deadliest year for Palestinians since 2005.

Israeli forces and settlers have been escalating their attacks in the West Bank and other occupied areas, in an attempt to forcibly expel Palestinians from their lands and make way for expanding Israeli settlements.

Since the start of 2022, Israeli troops have murdered at least 220 Palestinians, including more than 50 children, in the West Bank and East al-Quds as well as in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Responding to the violence, Palestinians have killed 29 Israelis, including soldiers, in the same period which marks the highest number since 2008.

ME