Israel Granted Entry into U.S. Visa Waiver Program; Visa-Free Travel for Israelis Begins November 30

This decision marks a significant development and a diplomatic win for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist government. Relations between the U.S. and Israel have faced strains due to various issues, including Israel’s judiciary overhaul plan and its policies toward the Palestinians.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized that this announcement serves to “strengthen the security, economic, and people-to-people ties between the United States and Israel.”

A notable aspect of this development is that Palestinian Americans, both residing in the West Bank and the United States, will now have the ability to enter Israel visa-free and travel to and from Ben Gurion airport without the barriers associated with visa requirements.

To qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, countries are required to meet specific criteria related to counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management. Additionally, participating countries must treat all U.S. travellers equally, regardless of other passports they may hold.

For Israel, this means ensuring free passage for Palestinian Americans at Ben Gurion airport. However, some Palestinians have voiced objections to Israel’s entry into the VWP, citing what they perceive as decades of discriminatory treatment of Arab Americans and harassment at Israeli borders.

Since July 20, Israel has been implementing a pilot program aimed at facilitating access for Palestinian Americans through its borders and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Estimates indicate that between 45,000 and 60,000 Palestinian Americans reside in the West Bank, with Israeli officials suggesting a lower figure. According to Israel, out of the 70,000 to 90,000 Palestinian Americans worldwide, 15,000 to 20,000 are West Bank residents.

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Until now, 40 countries have been participating in the VWP, with new nations added infrequently. Croatia was the most recent addition in 2021.

A group of four Democratic U.S. senators, including Chris Van Hollen, expressed concerns on Wednesday that Israel has not met the requirement of treating all American travellers equally.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that this decision “will enhance freedom of movement for U.S. citizens, including those living in the Palestinian Territories or travelling to and from them.”

On Tuesday, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security, seeking to block Israel’s entry into the VWP. However, a U.S. judge in Detroit denied an emergency motion on procedural grounds, stating that the department had not been properly notified of the lawsuit.