Title: Israel to Join US Visa Waiver Program, Allowing Visa-Free Travel
Subtitle: Israel’s Inclusion Hinges on Palestinian-American Travel Treatment Issue
Date: [Current Date]
CNN – The Biden administration has revealed that Israel will soon become a member of the US Visa Waiver Program, enabling Israeli citizens to travel to the United States without a visa, and vice versa.
According to an official statement, Israeli citizens are expected to be able to enter the US visa-free starting from November 30. Under the program, they will be allowed to stay in the US for up to 90 days.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), managed by the Department of Homeland Security, currently includes 40 countries. Israel’s inclusion was anticipated by September 30 but had been contingent upon how Palestinian-Americans were treated by Israel when traveling to the country.
Although officials claim that these issues have been resolved, a group of 15 Democratic senators recently urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken not to nominate Israel to the program due to the ongoing treatment of Palestinian-Americans.
However, an administration official stated during a briefing call with reporters that “Israel’s designation into the Visa Waiver Program helps the United States and Israel meet key national security goals.” The inclusion is expected to enhance cooperation between the two countries in areas such as counterterrorism law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management.
Reciprocity is a crucial element of the VWP, and the administration official emphasized its significance in Israel’s case. The official cited the history of unequal travel experiences for US citizens when traveling to and from Israel as a factor requiring reciprocity.
Speaking about the concerns raised in the senators’ letter, the administration officials stated that Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had reached a different conclusion, indicating that Israel met the necessary compliance requirements.
During an extensive observation period leading up to the announcement, officials noted that data showed Palestinian-Americans, who had previously faced restrictions when traveling to Israel, were now able to travel visa-free on par with other US citizens.
The admission of Israel into the US Visa Waiver Program marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two countries, facilitating easier travel and strengthening security cooperation.
As Israel prepares to join the program, citizens from both nations can look forward to enhanced travel opportunities and closer ties in the future.
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