Israel's news from the Biden administration:
The US Embassy in Jerusalem is closely examining cases of violence by Israelis against Palestinians in the territories of Judea and Samaria. "Israel Hayom" has learned that the embassy is considering adding the names of those Israelis to the list of obstacles to obtaining an entry visa (visa) to the United States "B.
This is a precedent-setting and drastic step.
According to the new policy at the embassy, those who are suspected of violence against Arabs, of taking acts of intimidation or of inciting violence, may not receive the visa.
The policy is expected to be expansive, and also include people who were not convicted in court, but the American authorities will have information about them who took part in the violent actions.
Waiting for a visa
According to the permanent entry regulations to the USA, those who have committed acts of violence or who have incited violence may be found ineligible to receive a visa, even if they have not been prosecuted or convicted in a court of law.
US President Biden. The administration is changing direction, photo: AFP
According to the regulations, there are categories of visa denial that do not expire, and are valid for life.
However, so far these regulations have been sparingly applied to Israelis suspected of involvement on nationalistic grounds.
Now the intention is to expand them.
It should be noted that the new policy refers to the current situation, where Israelis are still required to issue entry visas to the US. It is not clear what policy will be adopted if and when Israel enters the visa exemption program, probably in about a year.
The new policy is expected to mainly affect Israelis living in Judea and Samaria.
It is being taken following continued American frustration that Israel - according to the administration's claims - is not doing enough to prevent clashes between Arab and Jewish residents in the area.
At the same time, it seems that the step also comes in the context of the change of government in Israel and the rise in power of the right-wing parties.
It should be noted that in the new government there will be senior officials who were previously attributed involvement in this type of operations.
The new policy is expected to mainly affect Israelis living in Judea and Samaria, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
In recent months, there have been several violent incidents between settlers and Palestinians in various sectors of Judea and Samaria.
For example, during the "Shabbat of Sarah's Life" in November, tens of thousands of visitors arrived in Hebron, and violent clashes with Palestinians broke out there.
Similar events were also recorded in Hawara in the Nablus region and in the village of Masafar Yatta in the vicinity of Mount Hebron.
At this stage, it is not clear what the sources of information will be that the American immigration authorities will rely on when it comes to denying an Israeli citizen a visa.
If complaints by left-wing organizations about Israelis who they claim are involved in violence are considered by the Americans to be reliable information - the meaning may be particularly difficult for a very large number of activists in the settlement.
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