U.S. to Announce Israel’s Inclusion in Visa Waiver Program

Reports from Israeli media outlets on Motzoei Shabbos reveal that U.S. officials have officially informed their Israeli counterparts about Israel’s successful entry into the Visa Waiver Program. This development comes after the U.S. Embassy in Israel stated last month that a final decision regarding Israel’s admission to the program would be made by the end of September.

The U.S. has consistently emphasized its commitment to acquiring all necessary information to evaluate Israel’s full adherence to its commitments outlined in the MOU on Reciprocity. Should Israel’s admission to the Visa Waiver Program proceed, it would enable Israeli citizens to travel to the United States for business or tourism, permitting stays of up to 90 days without the requirement of a visa, following a designated transition period.

Israel’s acceptance into the program hinged on its efforts to facilitate travel for Palestinian-Americans residing in the Gaza Strip. Over the past two months, Israel has effectively aligned the travel conditions for Gazan Americans with those of Palestinian-Americans from Yehudah and Shomron, fulfilling this condition. This development signifies a positive step towards enhanced travel convenience and diplomacy in the region.