The Biden administration seeks to prevent Jewish extremists who attack Palestinians from entering the United States in its harshest stance to date against such West Bank violence. US President Joe Biden wrote in an opinion piece he published in the Washington Post on Saturday that extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank must stop and those committing the violence must be held accountable, emphasizing that the United States is prepared to take its own steps, including issuing visa bans against extremists attacking civilians in the West Bank. According to the United Nations, eight Palestinians, including one child, have been killed by settlers in the West Bank and another 74 were injured, with 33% of those injuries caused by live ammunition. The Biden administration is increasingly concerned by the growing number of Jewish extremist attacks that have occurred before and after the start of the Gaza war, and its officials have been careful to mention settler violence as it condemns Hamas’ actions. The Biden administration has supported Israel’s military campaign to oust Hamas from Gaza and has spoken of the importance of a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Biden emphasized the need to establish a peaceful, integrated, and prosperous Middle East in the months ahead.
