In a historic move, the Biden administration is set to welcome Israel into an exclusive club this week, granting its citizens the privilege of visa-free travel to the United States. This long-awaited development marks a significant achievement for Israeli leaders, with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu playing a pivotal role in the negotiations. The official announcement of Israel's entry into the Visa Waiver Program is scheduled for late this week, strategically aligning with the end of the federal budget year on Saturday. This timing ensures Israel's inclusion without the need for requalification in the coming year. The Visa Waiver Program, overseen by the Department of Homeland Security, currently grants citizens of 40 mostly European and Asian countries the ability to visit the United States for up to three months without requiring a visa. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will unveil this historic decision on Thursday, following a recommendation from Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Anonymous sources with knowledge of the matter confirm this development, highlighting the sensitivity and importance of this diplomatic milestone.
Secretary Blinken's recommendation is expected to be delivered no later than Tuesday, just eight days after President Biden's meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. While the issue was not publicly addressed during their meeting, it has been a subject of intense negotiation and debate for months. Israel's admission into the Visa Waiver Program represents a top priority for successive Israeli leaders and stands as a significant accomplishment for Mr. Netanyahu, especially amidst ongoing disagreements with the Biden administration on matters such as Iran, the Palestinian conflict, and proposed changes to Israel's judicial system. This move by the United States offers considerable support for Mr. Netanyahu at home, as he has faced months of mass protests against his judicial reform plan. In the past two years, Israel has met two of the three crucial criteria required for Visa Waiver Program participation: a low percentage of visa application rejections and a low visa overstay rate. The third requirement, reciprocity, demands that all American citizens, including Palestinian Americans, be treated equally when traveling to or through Israel. Israel, citing national security concerns, had maintained separate entry requirements and screening processes for Palestinian Americans, resulting in complaints of onerous and discriminatory procedures. Palestinian Americans with residency documents in the West Bank and Gaza Strip were often barred from using Israel's international airport, necessitating travel through Jordan or Egypt to reach their destinations.
In recent months, Israel has taken steps to adjust its entry requirements for Palestinian Americans, including allowing direct flights to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and improved access to the West Bank and Israel proper. Israel has also committed to facilitating movement for Palestinian Americans traveling to and from the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. Although new regulations were enacted earlier this month to formalize these changes, concerns persist. The Homeland Security Department intends to emphasize in its announcement that it will closely monitor the situation to ensure Israel's compliance. Failure to adhere to the agreed-upon terms could result in Israel's suspension from the Visa Waiver Program. Under this program, Israelis will be able to travel to the United States for business or leisure purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa, simplifying the process through registration with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. This development symbolizes a significant stride in strengthening diplomatic ties between the United States and Israel, further solidifying their longstanding partnership.
