In a significant development, Israel made an announcement on Wednesday stating that it will now allow all American citizens, including those residing in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, to enter the country through Ben-Gurion Airport. This move is part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to enable its citizens to enter the United States without a visa. Previously, Israel’s requests for visa-free travel had been rejected primarily due to concerns of alleged discriminatory treatment towards Muslim and Palestinian travelers.
To qualify for a visa waiver program with the United States, Israel has taken this step of permitting dual-nationality Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip to enter the country through its international airport. Israel has been striving for years to secure visa-free entry for its citizens to the U.S., a privilege enjoyed by 40 countries mainly in Europe and Asia.
However, Israel has faced obstacles as the U.S. government has demanded equal treatment for all American citizens, including Palestinian-Americans, at its borders. Currently, Palestinian-Americans often face entry restrictions at Israel’s Ben-Gurion airport and are required to enter the West Bank or Gaza Strip via neighboring Jordan or Egypt.
It is worth mentioning that individuals of Arab origin or Muslim faith with American citizenship, as well as U.S. citizens with dissenting political views, have also reported similar restrictions imposed by Israel.
Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, highlighted that the new regulation, effective from Thursday, will strengthen the bond between the two countries and bring Israel closer to meeting the criteria set by the U.S. government for the visa waiver program.
The U.S. State Department has emphasized that it will closely monitor Israel’s implementation and compliance with these policies, as well as other aspects of the Visa Waiver Program, before deciding on Israel’s admission by September 30.
Although the Israeli statement does not explicitly mention Palestinians, it ensures entry for “every single American, including Americans with dual nationality, American residents of Judea and Samaria” (referring to the occupied West Bank) and “American residents of the Gaza Strip.”
This update marks a significant step forward in Israel’s pursuit of visa-free travel for its citizens to the United States, while addressing concerns of equal treatment for all American citizens at Israeli borders.
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