US announces visa bans on Israeli settlers who attacked Palestinians

The US State Department officially announced on Tuesday that it will impose travel bans on Israeli settlers involved in attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.

In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote, "Today, the State Department is implementing a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals believed to have been involved in undermining peace, security, or stability in the West Bank, including through committing acts of violence or taking other actions that unduly restrict civilians’ access to essential services and basic necessities. Immediate family members of such persons also may be subject to these restrictions."

He added that violent attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians are "unacceptable."

"Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have the responsibility to uphold stability in the West Bank. Instability in the West Bank both harms the Israeli and Palestinian people and threatens Israel’s national security interests," he said.