1/3
WEST BANK, July 21 (UPI) — Israel’s decision to allow Americans living in the West Bank to enter the country is an exciting prospect that would make it easier for Palestinian-Americans to travel back to the United States. However, some individuals are unsure if this practice will continue in the long run.
Starting Thursday, Israel has agreed to permit “any American” citizen, including those with dual citizenship and residents of Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip, to enter Israel. In return, Israelis will be granted visa-free entry into the United States for trips lasting up to 90 days, once Israel is included in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.
A group of Palestinian-American women interviewed by UPI on Friday shared their thoughts on the agreement. While they are excited about the reduced travel costs and time associated with the deal, they worry that Israel may revoke their access once they become part of the waiver program.
Madees Khoury, a 37-year-old brewer and general manager of Taybeh Beer in the West Bank, expresses her enthusiasm about the opportunity to fly from the nearby Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. However, she remains cautious and awaits the conclusion of the trial period before getting her hopes up.
Khoury, who lived in Boston until the age of 14, currently experiences a two-day journey between her West Bank home and Amman Airport in Jordan. This involves booking a hotel upon arrival, additional travel expenses, and even more costs associated with reaching the airport. She believes that traveling to Ben Gurion Airport, which is just a 50-minute taxi ride from her home, would be a more convenient and affordable option.
Ameena AbuAwad, a 34-year-old medical assistant and English teacher from Chicago who resides in Ramallah, West Bank, explains that traveling to Jordan with her five children often adds extra days and hundreds of dollars to their trip expenses.
She adds, “For our family of seven, we spend $90 for a taxi to Jericho, where we pay taxes to Israel and take a bus to the Allenby Bridge Crossing into Jordan. The taxes and bus fare cost around $50 per person, in addition to extra fees for each suitcase. This means we’re spending at least an extra $420 since we can’t fly from Ben Gurion Airport.”
According to AbuAwad, the bus frequently stops at a border line for up to three hours, causing her children to become restless and upset. Furthermore, there are additional time and financial burdens on the Jordanian side, such as Israeli security checks and a required Jordanian travel tax of $32.57 per person.
AbyAwad’s aunt, Nuha Khraiwish, a 54-year-old resident of Chicago who also has a home in Turmus Aya, West Bank, raises concerns about Jordan’s potential exploitation of the situation. Flights from the Jordanian airport are often scheduled at inconvenient times, making it necessary to stay in a hotel overnight, which can cost over $100.
“If this United States-Israeli plan really goes through, then it will save us money and allow for more time with family since we won’t have to go through Jordan,” says Khraiwish. “But I’m worried that the Jordanians will try to hinder the possibility of Palestinian Americans flying out of Ben Gurion Airport since we contribute substantially to their economy.”
