Rubio asks Biden administration to cancel visas for foreign nationals supporting Hamas

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is calling on President Biden to cancel visas for foreign nationals supporting Hamas in the wake of the terrorist group’s unprecedented attack on Israeli citizens near the Gaza Strip.

“America is the most generous nation on earth, but we cannot allow foreign nationals who support terrorist groups like Hamas and march in our streets calling for ‘intifada’ to enter or stay in our country,” Rubio said in a Saturday release.

Since the attack on Oct. 7 that has killed more than 2,800 people on both sides of the war so far, conflicting demonstrations have taken place across the U.S.

Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered in New York City’s Times Square in support. This comes after Reuters reported Wednesday that former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal called for Muslims to support the militant group that governs the Gaza Strip.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) and other officials said they were deeply disturbed by calls for violence. The city, and others across the U.S., has increased security.

The protest, part of “International Day of Action for Palestine,” also included protestors from the City University of New York at Baruch College, who then joined the demonstration in Times Square.

Rubio pledges to take action in Congress

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks to reporters as he arrives to the Senate Chamber for a vote on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. (Greg Nash)

Rubio said the Biden administration has the authority to cancel the visas, saying it is critical to do so “for foreign nationals who endorse or espouse terrorist activity, including those who defend or support Hamas by calling for intifada, jihad, or other similar actions to eliminate the Jewish state of Israel.”

Rubio also announced that he would take action himself.

“In addition to demanding the Biden Administration apply our existing laws, I will introduce legislation to force them to act,” Rubio said.

In addition, Rubio said he would pursue legislation that withholds federal funding from colleges and universities that allow pro-Palestine protests, demonstrations and other activities that could be seen to “endorse or espouse terrorist activity or persuade others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization.”

Hamas was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism in 1997.

Adams and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) also denounced the demonstration in support of Palestine, along with Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.).

Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) blasted the “bigotry” of the Palestine rally in Times Square after facing pressure. Other members of the group of progressive lawmakers known as the “Squad,” including Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.), were heavily criticized by members of their own party, highlighting the divisions among Democrats over the war.

Tlaib, the only Palestinian member of Congress, characterized Hamas’s attack as part of a “resistance” effort and suggested that the United States support stop funding Israel’s “apartheid government.”

Pro-Palestine, Israel demonstrations occur across U.S., world

At the same time, demonstrations supporting Israel have taken place in the U.S. and the Associated Press reported that a skirmish between people on both sides broke out in front of the United Nations headquarters.

Meanwhile, as calls for support from Meshaal continued on Friday, members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation had already protested last Sunday at the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, chanting supportive words for Hamas while calling on the U.S. to stop aiding Israel.

Demonstrations supporting Palestine also took place in Chicago.

Israel announced an evacuation order for Gaza, applying to one million people, or half the population of the narrow piece of land located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Palestinians have been fleeing since the order was announced, a move that has been condemned by the United Nations, which called on Israel to reverse the order Friday, and the World Health Organization on Saturday.

Outside of the U.S., thousands descended to the streets of London to rally for Palestinians, but demonstrators told Reuters that anger about what many see as the oppression of Palestinians for decades doesn’t mean they condone Hamas’s actions.

“But it doesn’t mean that people condone Hamas in the slightest, because being pro-Palestine doesn’t mean you’re anti-Semitic. I think that’s really important to stress,” Asmat Malik, a 29-year-old pharmacist, told Reuters Saturday.

France has banned all pro-Palestine demonstrations, as fears of antisemitism and violence rise.

Biden, other leaders respond

President Joe Biden waves as he walks towards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Meanwhile, President Biden said he is working with Israel to ease the humanitarian costs of the war with Hamas.

In addition, Biden said he will meet with the families of those being held hostage by Hamas and has received praise for his response to the attack and support for Israel while creating a contrast between him and former President Trump, who claimed that he is the only president who can defend Israel.

Biden, who earlier this week said Hamas “makes Al-Qaeda look pure“, has called for all non-essential personnel in Israel and the West Bank to leave.

Rubio is among those who have called for the U.S. to not accept refugees from Gaza, joining Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Florida governor and U.S. presidential candidate Ron DeSantis, and others.

Progressive lawmakers have called for the U.S. to take in refugees and called on Biden to make sure Israel’s response to the attack limits harm to civilians, while at the same time condemning Hamas’ actions.