Israel Eases Travel Restrictions for Palestinian-Americans in Effort to Join US Visa Waiver Program
In a significant development towards joining the US Visa Waiver Program, Israel has announced that it will be easing travel restrictions for Palestinian-Americans. This move will allow Palestinian-Americans to freely travel to and through Israel, including the Ben Gurion International Airport, for a period of up to 90 days.
Previously, Palestinian-Americans faced difficulties as they were unable to travel through Ben Gurion Airport. They had to go through Jordan, which resulted in additional fees and longer travel times. However, with this policy change, Palestinian-Americans will now have the convenience of traveling directly to their destination without any unnecessary hassles.
The decision comes as part of the US requirement for countries in the Visa Waiver Program to extend reciprocal travel privileges to American citizens. Israel has long sought entry into this program, which would permit its citizens to travel to the US without obtaining a visa. By easing travel restrictions for Palestinian-Americans, Israel hopes to meet the necessary criteria for inclusion in the program.
The change in policy was formalized in a memorandum of understanding signed by US Ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides, and Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog. As part of the agreement, the US will closely monitor Israel’s implementation of the new measures over the next six weeks to assess whether they meet the required standards for admission into the Visa Waiver Program.
However, it is important to note that Palestinian-Americans will still be subject to security considerations. Palestinians who have been previously arrested by the Israeli Defense Forces may face difficulties during transit. Israel will continue to exercise its right to bar individuals it deems a security threat from entering the country.
Approximately 70,000 Palestinian-Americans who are on the Palestinian Authority’s population registry will be directly impacted by this policy change. They will now have increased travel opportunities and the convenience of traveling to Israel using Ben Gurion Airport as their gateway.
In addition to the changes for Palestinian-Americans, Israel has also adjusted its travel guidelines to allow dual US nationals from Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon to qualify for entry under the rules of the Visa Waiver Program.
However, Israel’s potential entry into the Visa Waiver Program has sparked controversy among some US lawmakers. There are concerns and skepticism regarding the Israeli government’s policy changes. The debates and discussions surrounding this issue are likely to continue in the coming weeks.
Overall, the easing of travel restrictions for Palestinian-Americans is a significant step towards Israel’s goal of joining the US Visa Waiver Program. This change will not only benefit Palestinian-Americans but also further strengthen the ties between the United States and Israel.
