US asks Israel to avoid escalation against Palestinians ahead of Biden visit

Biden se to visit Israel, West Bank on July 13

By Abdelraouf Arna'out
JERUSALEM (AA) – The US administration has asked Israel to avoid escalation or taking unilateral steps against Palestinians ahead of a planned visit by US President Joe Biden to the region next month, Israeli media reported on Thursday.

Haaretz newspaper said US Assistant Secretary to State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf urged Israeli officials to cease military operations against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including home demolitions and evictions.

The White House said Biden is scheduled to visit Israel and the West Bank on July 13.

The visit comes amid rising tensions in the West Bank over Israel’s repeated arrest campaigns in the occupied territory and daily settler incursions into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in East Jerusalem.

More than 65 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli army fire in raids and clashes in the West Bank since the beginning of this year, according to Palestinian figures.

Writing by Ahmed Asmar

Kaynak:

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