Biden threatens visa bans against 'extremists attacking civilians' in the West Bank

Source: CNN

Biden threatens visa bans against ‘extremists attacking civilians’ in the West Bank

By Aileen Graef, Priscilla Alvarez and Kaanita Iyer, CNN
2 minute read
Published 4:37 PM EST, Sat November 18, 2023

(CNN) — President Joe Biden took aim at violence against Palestinians in the West Bank in an op-ed published Saturday, signaling that the US is prepared to issue visa bans.

“I have been emphatic with Israel’s leaders that extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank must stop and that those committing the violence must be held accountable,” Biden wrote in the Washington Post. “The United States is prepared to take our own steps, including issuing visa bans against extremists attacking civilians in the West Bank.”

The president’s warning comes amid concerns over Israel violating the Visa Waiver Program, which allows eligible travelers to apply to enter the US without a visa. Israel officially joined the program in late October.

The State Department acknowledged the concerns earlier this week, with spokesperson Matt Miller sharing that “there are remedial measures that are available to us” if Israel does not comply with the program.

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Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/18/politics/biden-aims-to-retain-support-for-fights-against-russia-and-hamas-in-op-ed/index.html