The United States is reportedly preparing to grant Israeli citizens the privilege of entering the country without a visa, a move that may be announced by the Biden administration in the coming days. According to officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, this decision is set to be announced by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas shortly after receiving a recommendation from Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The expected announcement comes just before the federal budget year ends on September 30th, adding significance to the timing. If Israel is admitted to the Visa Waiver Program, it will allow Israeli citizens to travel to the US for tourism or business purposes without the need to obtain a visa beforehand.
While this decision is seen as a positive development in the US-Israel relationship, it has also raised concerns within Washington about the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinian Americans. The US administration is said to be aware of these concerns; however, it is still proceeding with plans to include Israel in the Visa Waiver Program.
The Visa Waiver Program is designed to facilitate travel between the US and certain countries by eliminating the need for visas. Currently, there are 39 countries participating in the program, including several European nations, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
The inclusion of Israel in this program would not only strengthen the ties between the US and Israel but also streamline travel processes for Israeli citizens visiting the United States. This move could also have positive implications for both countries' tourism industries and further enhance people-to-people exchanges.
It is important to note that at this point, these reports are based on unnamed officials and have not yet been officially confirmed. The potential announcement, if made, is expected to be a significant step forward in the bilateral relations between the US and Israel, marking another milestone of cooperation and collaboration.