The United States includes Israel in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP, or Visa Waver), allowing Israelis to visit the country without a visa. Washington, D.C., is pleased with the progress made to facilitate travel for Americans with a Palestinian background, and is therefore rewarding Israel with a visa exemption.
Two passports
Israelis can now stay in the United States for 90 days without a visa. The US government’s decision was motivated by reciprocity. The two countries already concluded a visa waiver agreement in July. Since then, every American, including Israeli-American citizens with dual passports and those living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, has been allowed to enter Israel.
Netanyahu is grateful
Now it is the turn of Israeli citizens traveling to the United States to enter without a visa. This is allowed because Americans with a Palestinian background in disputed areas of Israel no longer have to travel to the United States via a third country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is happy with the move and says he is grateful to the US government.
Choose a group
About forty countries have a visa exemption regime for the United States, including the Netherlands and Belgium. Countries that wish to be included in the list must meet strict rules, such as good security checks and a working biometric passport. All EU countries except Romania and Bulgaria belong to the programme. Other countries include Switzerland, Chile, Australia, Great Britain, and Japan. Israel now joins this selection group.
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