The administration of Biden is considering whether or not a visa to enter the United States should be granted to the Finance Minister of Israel, Bezalel Smotrich, following his comments to “wipe out” a Palestine town.
According to the Times of Israel, an official familiar with the matter revealed the discussions while insisting that no decision has been taken up to this point, VisaGuide.World reports.
However, another official told the Times of Israel that authorities in the United States are unlikely to ban entry to the Finance Minister of Israel. In addition, according to the same source, the White House was unlikely to have said that the United States government would not meet with the Minister when he comes to the US later this month. The announcement that the administration would take the step to refuse him a visa was also denied.
Foreign government officials planning to travel to the US for work purposes are required to obtain an A-1 or A-2 visa before reaching the US since they are not eligible to enter using B1/B2 visitor visas or under the US Visa Waiver Program.
Smotrich was recently urged to wipe out the West Bank town of Huwara after settlers rampaged there following a terror attack.
The TV station recently quoted an American source stressing that it would be better if Smotrich says that he’s canceling his planned trip announced from March 12 until March 14.
Smotrich’s remarks were denounced by the United State Department spokesman, Ned Price, who considered that “these comments were irresponsible. They were repugnant. They were disgusting.”
“Just as we condemn Palestinian incitement to violence, we condemn these provocative remarks that also amount to incitement to violence,” he noted.
The Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), earlier this month considered that the United State Department should refuse to issue a US visa to Minister Smotrich following his statements that according to DAWN incite violence as well as atrocities against Palestinians.
“The Biden Administration should not allow senior government officials inciting atrocities against Palestinian civilians to spread their violent and hateful rhetoric in the United States, just as it has banned government officials inciting violence against civilians from several African countries,” the Executive Director of DAWN, Sarah Leah Whitson, pointed out in this regard.
According to her, the exceptional nature of the relationship between the United States should have its limits, while adding that banning Smotrich would send a significant signal that the US will not tolerate such dangerous incitement of violence.
On February 26, the Palestinian villages of Burin, Zaatara, Asira al-Qabaliyy, as well as Hawara were attacked by armed Israeli settlers, who burned and damaged houses, shops, and vehicles, injuring a large number of civilians.
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