Tel Aviv, Israel – The United States will declare its participation in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) this week, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.This move would grant Israeli citizens visa-free access to the United States starting in November.
“Israel joining the Visa Waiver Program is a diplomatic achievement and good news for all Israeli citizens,” said Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.
A US State Department spokesperson said on Monday that a final decision on Israel’s candidacy had not been made.
“The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, will make a determination in the coming days,” the spokesperson said.
To be admitted to the VWP, countries must commit to treating all US travelers equally, irrespective of other passports they may possess. For Israel, this would mean allowing Palestinian Americans to travel freely at its airports and within the occupied Palestinian territories. This aspect of the arrangement has sparked protests among some Palestinians who claim years of discriminatory treatment and harassment at Israeli borders.
In a trial phase that commenced on July 20th, Israel has already eased access for Palestinian Americans traveling through its borders, including those entering and exiting the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Estimates suggest that between 45,000 and 60,000 Palestinian Americans reside in the West Bank, with varying figures from Israeli and U.S. officials. Globally, there are an estimated 70,000 to 90,000 Palestinian Americans, of which 15,000 to 20,000 are West Bank residents.
The Visa Waiver Program currently includes 40 countries, with additions occurring infrequently. Croatia was the most recent country to join in 2021.
The deadline for Israel to meet the US conditions is September 30. If Israel successfully complies, it will mark a diplomatic win for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which has faced strained relations with Washington due to its proposed judiciary reforms and its policies concerning the Palestinians.
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called Israel’s potential inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program a diplomatic achievement benefiting all Israeli citizens.