Public opinion is growing that the United States should request an entry ban on Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who caused controversy by mentioning the “annihilation of a Palestinian village.”
According to foreign media such as Al Jazeera on the 2nd, American Jewish groups such as “Americans for Peace” urged President Joe Biden to take measures to deny entry to Secretary Smotrich, saying that Secretary Smotrich’s remarks called for war crimes. did.
The ‘Americans for Peace’ side said, “All you have to get rid of is his violent and hateful ideology.” “Now Smotrich wants to bring his hatred to American soil. He plans to travel to the US at the end of this month.”
J Street, a pro-Israel American group, also said in a statement, “It must be made clear that Smotrich’s comments and actions are causing tremendous damage to US-Israeli relations.” It should be made clear that the remarks are the basis for re-examination of the visa to enter the United States.”
A human rights group representing rabbis across the United States, ‘Trua’, also demanded that the Biden administration revoke Secretary Smotrich’s visa.
The Adala Justice Project, a Palestinian-centered US support group, is also collecting signatures calling for an entry ban on Secretary Smotrich. In particular, the group described the Israeli minister’s remarks as “demands for genocide.”
In the U.S. politics, voices were raised that the U.S. should be more active in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
“Hope for peace and prosperity in this region depends on America making the right choice now,” said Democratic Senator Peter Welch.
Earlier, Minister Smotrich said of the recent violence in the Palestinian village of Huwara in the West Bank, “I think the village of Huwara should be annihilated,” and “the Israeli government should do it.”
Smotrich’s remarks came after violence erupted by Jewish settlers in the town of Huwara. Settlers erupted in violence after gunmen from a Palestinian militant group shot and killed two Israeli brothers.
Later, State Department spokesman Ned Price said, “It was irresponsible. “We condemn these provocative statements that incite violence, just as we condemn the Palestinian incitement to violence,” he said.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.