US embassy in Tel Aviv (Archive photo)
Photo: Michael Kramer
US: Israel discriminating against Americans
Secretary of State Rice instructs State Department to file official complaint against Israel, saying country caused problems for US citizens of Palestinian origin and limited their entry, exit of territories
The US State Department filed an official complaint against the Israeli government Tuesday at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, saying that Israel caused problems for American citizens of Palestinian origin and limited their entry and exit of the territories.
The complaint was filed following instructions from US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice herself. American sources claimed Israel implemented a new and deliberate policy that discriminated against American citizens.
The wave of complaints on the matter began in April 2006. Many of the complainants were wealthy American citizens of Palestinian origin who responded to calls of the American government to assist in the rebuilding of the Palestinian Authority and to invest in its economy.
The American embassy in Israel said Tuesday, “We are aware that citizens experience difficulties in entering and leaving the West Bank and Gaza, but we have not received information about an official change in Israel’s policies. We’ll leave it to Israel to explain its policies.”
