Thursday, July 18, 2024
The United States has introduced new visa restrictions targeting Israelis accused of perpetrating “violent” acts against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The move calls upon Israel to ensure accountability for these individuals.
“This addresses a concerning rise in violence we’ve unfortunately observed over recent months, and underscores the necessity for Israel to take stronger measures to hold perpetrators accountable,” stated US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a press briefing.
The restrictions prevent certain Israelis and their families from entering the United States. Miller acknowledged Israel’s efforts in addressing settler violence by making arrests but emphasized these actions as insufficient.
One notable individual affected by the new measures is former Israeli soldier Elor Azaria, previously convicted and sentenced to nine months for fatally shooting a wounded Palestinian in 2016.
In other developments:
- An Israeli delegation has arrived in Cairo to continue discussions on a potential ceasefire in Gaza, amid ongoing deliberations between Israel and Hamas.
- The United Nations has condemned remarks made by a spokesperson in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office about Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, labeling them as “reprehensible” and threatening.
- Meanwhile, health officials report at least 81 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza over the past 24 hours.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Hezbollah, Iran, and Lebanon’s government are not seeking a full-scale war with Israel, cautioning against provocations that could escalate tensions.
