Biden Considers Imposing Visa Bans on Extremists Targeting West Bank Civilians
President Biden stresses solidarity with allies, denouncing extremist violence against innocent civilians in the West Bank He emphasizes support against Russia's President Putin and Hamas, advocating for a two-state solution in his compelling op-ed
President Joe Biden expressed his concerns about the violence targeting Palestinians in the West Bank in an op-ed published on Saturday. This indicates that the United States is ready to impose visa bans as a measure to address the issue. In the Washington Post, Biden conveyed his firm message to Israeli leaders, emphasizing the importance of ending extremist violence against Palestinians and ensuring that those responsible for such acts are held responsible. He further stated that the US is prepared to take necessary actions, including implementing visa bans on extremists who attack civilians in the West Bank.
Concerns have risen regarding Israel's violation of the Visa Waiver Program, an initiative that permits eligible travelers to enter the US without a visa. Israel officially became a part of this program in late October. Earlier this week, the State Department recognized these concerns and spokesperson Matt Miller stated that "there are available measures to address this issue" if Israel fails to comply with the program.
In the op-ed, Biden reaffirmed his stance against a ceasefire in Gaza, a position he has maintained throughout the Israel-Hamas conflict that started last month. Instead, he emphasized the importance of a two-state solution and Palestinian authority-led governance for the time being. This op-ed is part of the White House's ongoing efforts to highlight the impact of overseas conflicts on US national security, as the administration's supplemental request remains at a standstill.
The Biden administration recently sought over $105 billion from Congress for security aid in Ukraine and Israel, citing the urgency of the situation. During a televised address from the Oval Office, President Biden passionately advocated for this funding, describing it as a pivotal moment in American history. Emphasizing the parallels between the conflicts, the president further reinforced this stance in his op-ed on Saturday.
"Both Putin and Hamas are determined to eliminate a neighboring democracy from existence," Biden expressed. "Moreover, both Putin and Hamas aim to undermine the overall stability and unity of the region, exploiting the resulting chaos for personal gain."
"Under no circumstances will America allow such a scenario to unfold. It is imperative for our national security as well as the well-being of the global community," he emphasized.
In his closing remarks, Biden strongly condemned the increase in antisemitism and Islamophobia following the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. He emphasized the need to take a stand against hate and called for the clear denouncement of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all other forms of hatred and bias. Additionally, he urged for the abandonment of violence and harsh rhetoric, and stressed the importance of viewing each other as fellow Americans rather than enemies.
