By News Team, KTA |
In a nutshell: The US-Israel agreement on the visa waiver program encounters a significant hurdle regarding the treatment of Palestinian-Americans. While Israel meets the required refusal threshold for visa applications, it still needs to address concerns about equal treatment for all American citizens. Both countries are working together to find a solution that respects the rights of American citizens of Palestinian origin and ensures a smooth implementation of the visa waiver program. The upcoming visit by the US delegation will provide a crucial assessment of Israel’s progress in meeting the program’s requirements.
Efforts to include Israel in the US visa waiver program have hit a snag due to the unresolved issue of freedom of entry to Israel and movement for Palestinian-Americans holding US passports. Despite meeting the required refusal threshold for visa applications, Israel still falls short of fulfilling all the criteria necessary for the program.
The US State Department has emphasized the need for Israel to allow Palestinian-Americans equal treatment and access to its territory.
According to the current regulations in Israel, individuals holding an American passport along with a Palestinian identity card, or those who are eligible to obtain the card, are required to apply for an entry permit to Israel and travel through Israel. The application process necessitates the individual visitor to submit the application themselves in the West Bank, with the assistance of the inviting company from Israel, following their entry from Jordan.
The US government places great importance on treating all American citizens equally, regardless of their original nationality, including those of Palestinian, Libyan, Iraqi, or Iranian origin. Both parties are working to find a respectful mechanism that addresses these concerns.
Washington expects Israel to allow Palestinian-Americans to move freely to the West Bank if they choose, and to return through Israel to the US. The joint plan between the US and Israel aims to streamline entry procedures while enabling both sides to conduct intelligence checks on individuals beforehand.
Just recently 16 US senators urged the Biden administration to ensure equal treatment for American citizens, expressing concerns that individuals appearing in the Palestinian population registry might not receive the same rights as other American citizens. A delegation from the US is scheduled to visit Israel in July to assess whether all the requirements have been met. If Israel fulfills the necessary criteria, it is expected to receive the visa exemption by October 2023.
Conclusion: The US-Israel agreement on the visa waiver program encounters a significant hurdle regarding the treatment of Palestinian-Americans. While Israel meets the required refusal threshold for visa applications, it still needs to address concerns about equal treatment for all American citizens. Both countries are working together to find a solution that respects the rights of American citizens of Palestinian origin and ensures a smooth implementation of the visa waiver program. The upcoming visit by the US delegation will provide a crucial assessment of Israel’s progress in meeting the program’s requirements.
