The Israeli government is pushing the US administration to cancel its new decision to deny visas to Israelis suspected of violence against Palestinians, political sources in Tel Aviv revealed.
They added that, according to the Israeli cabinet, such a decision could affect thousands of Israeli officers and Jewish settlers who worked in the West Bank. It could also lead to bringing these officers to trials in other countries.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem is apparently closely examining cases of violence committed by Israelis against Palestinians in the West Bank, Israel Hayom has reported.
According to the report, the embassy is considering adding the names of these Israelis to a list of those who will not get US visas readily.
The new policy is expected primarily to affect settlers living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The policy underscores the frustration among US officials over the Israeli attitude toward Palestinians.
The newspaper revealed that such an unprecedented step “would be part of the new policy undertaken by the embassy in which those who are suspected to have been involved in violence towards Arabs or engaged in intimidation or incitement to violence will be added to a special list.”
“This policy will likely cast a wide net as it would include even those who have not been convicted in court.”
Under standard procedures, applications could be rejected if the applicant is found to have engaged in violence or incitement to violence, whether or not they were prosecuted or convicted.
The move comes amid a change in government in Israel and the rise of the influence of the extreme right-wing parties who have become part of the governing coalition and have been accused of involvement in violence against Palestinians.
