The Biden administration is imposing visa bans on dozens of Israeli settlers who have committed acts of violence in the West Bank, taking action against what US officials call a potential trigger for wider violence as Israel wages war in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement on Tuesday, secretary of state Antony Blinken announced a new 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”.

US officials are most concerned about a recent surge in attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians, but the new policy will also deny entry to Palestinians who have committed violent acts against Israelis. Under State Department privacy rules, the names of the people who will be designated in the coming days will not be made public.

The restrictions may also be extended to their immediate family members, Blinken said. The move comes as the US tries to revive efforts to achieve a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

New York Times News Service