Israel Admitted into Visa Waiver Program: Controversy Surrounds US Decision Despite Concerns for Palestinian Americans
The Biden administration is set to announce that Israel will join the Visa Waiver Program, allowing Israeli citizens to travel to the U.S. without a visa, despite concerns about their treatment of Palestinian Americans. The decision comes after intense negotiations, and while Israel has made some adjustments to its entry requirements for Palestinian Americans, concerns about discrimination persist. Proponents see this move as a significant accomplishment for Prime Minister Netanyahu's government, while critics argue it prioritizes political interests over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In a significant move, the Biden administration is expected to announce this week that Israel will be admitted into the Visa Waiver Program, allowing Israeli citizens to travel to the United States without a visa. This development comes despite ongoing concerns about the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinian Americans. The Department of Homeland Security administers the program, which currently includes citizens from 40 mostly European and Asian countries.
According to officials familiar with the matter, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is set to make the announcement on Thursday, following a recommendation from Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This decision comes just days after President Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York. Although the leaders did not address the issue during their meeting, the admission of Israel into the program has been a subject of intense negotiation and debate for months. Israel has been working towards fulfilling the requirements for the program, including a low percentage of visa application rejections and a low visa overstay rate.
However, the third requirement for reciprocity, which ensures equal treatment of all U.S. citizens, including Palestinian Americans, when traveling to or through Israel, has been challenging. Historically, Israel has maintained separate entry requirements and screening processes for Palestinian Americans, which many have criticized as discriminatory. In recent months, Israel has taken steps to adjust its entry requirements for Palestinian Americans, such as allowing them to fly directly to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and easing movement for traveling in and out of the Gaza Strip.
New regulations have been implemented to codify these changes. The Homeland Security Department, however, intends to emphasize in its announcement that it will continue to monitor the situation to ensure compliance from Israel. The impending decision has received criticism from Palestinian American activists, who argue that Israel continues to discriminate against American citizens of Palestinian descent. They question why the Biden administration is rushing to offer political victories to Netanyahu's government at a time when it is facing backlash for its extremist agenda.
Nevertheless, Israel's admission into the Visa Waiver Program will be a significant milestone and a major accomplishment for Netanyahu's government. The move is expected to provide a boost for Netanyahu, who has faced mass protests against his judicial plan. It remains to be seen how the Palestinian leadership will react to this development, as they believe the U.S. should not reward the Israeli government while peace efforts remain at a standstill. Overall, Israel's admission into the Visa Waiver Program represents a complex and sensitive diplomatic issue. While it highlights progress in addressing discriminatory entry requirements, it also raises questions about the prioritization of political interests and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.