The Biden administration is considering Palestinian citizens to the United States as refugees, a measure that would offer a permanent safe haven to some of those fleeing war-torn Gaza.
According to CBS News reports, in recent weeks, senior officials from several US federal agencies have discussed the feasibility of different options for resettling Palestinians from Gaza who have immediate family members who are US citizens or permanent residents.
According to UN reports, around 1.7 million Gazans have been internally displaced, of which more than half are children, and do not have access to sufficient water, food, fuel and medicine.
Given the catastrophic situation, one of these proposals involves using the United States Refugee Admission Program, that has existed for decades, to welcome Palestinians with ties to the United States who have managed to escape Gaza and enter neighboring Egypt, according to interagency planning documents.
Senior US officials have also discussed removing more Palestinians from Gaza and processing them as refugees if they have American relatives, the documents show. The planes would require coordination with Egypt, which has so far refused to take in large numbers of people from Gaza.
While the eligible population is expected to be relatively small, the planes being discussed by U.S. officials could offer a lifeline to some Palestinians fleeing the war between Israel and Hamas, which local public health officials say It has claimed the lives of more than 34,000 people.
According to analysts, proposals to resettle certain Palestinians as refugees would mark a change in long-standing policy and practice of the US government. Since its creation in 1980, the US refugee program has not resettled large numbers of Palestinians.
During the last decade, The United States has resettled more than 400,000 refugees fleeing violence and war around the world. Less than 600 were Palestinians. In fiscal year 2023, the United States welcomed 56 Palestinian refugees, or 0.09% of the more than 60,000 refugees resettled during those 12 months, State Department statistics show.
To qualify to enter the US as refugees, applicants must demonstrate that they are fleeing persecution based on certain factors, such as their nationality, religion, or political opinions. While some Palestinians might say they are fleeing Hamas repression, others might identify the military and government of Israel, an important U.S. ally and recipient of American aid, as persecutors.
Resettlement of Palestinians, even if small-scale, could also draw criticism from Republicans, who have tried to make concerns about immigration and illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border define the election issues. of November.
Besides, President Joe Biden pledged to work with Egypt and Qatar to ensure implementation of proposed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
In phone calls with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Biden urged the leaders to do everything possible to push for the release of hostages still being held. by Hamas in Gaza.
The United States, Egypt and Qatar have been engaged in months of talks focused on bringing about a halt to the fighting. One proposal now being considered includes a ceasefire lasting about six weeks, the release of hostages held by Hamas, the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and increased humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
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