The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday announced it would be implementing a new visa policy that would ban Israeli settlers who have attacked Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, reports Middle East Eye.
"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," he said in a statement.
"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," Blinken continued.Immediate family members of those sanctioned would also be subject to the visa ban.
The new policy will also be extended to Palestinians who have engaged in violence against Israelis, added the statement.
The announcement comes as the US has for months warned of increased Israeli settler violence in the West Bank.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
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