The Israelis were impatiently awaiting it. It’s now official. No more paperwork and endless delays to obtain an American visa. The United States includes the Jewish state in its visa waiver program.
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As for many European nationals, traveling to the United States for Israelis becomes easier from November 30, 2023. A few clicks online, around twenty dollars and they have an electronic visa, which allows them to board for America.
Until then, it was necessary to submit a request to the United States Embassy in Israel, reports our correspondent in Jerusalem, Sami Boukhelifa. Waiting up to a year before getting an appointment: the Holy Grail. Why so much administrative burden? Because Washington criticized the Jewish state for the constraints it imposes on Palestinian American binational travelers.
To Israel, not all American citizens were equal. Those of Palestinian origin were treated like the rest of the Palestinian population under occupation. Ban on entering the country through Tel Aviv International Airport. They had to land in neighboring Jordan, cross the land border. Suffering unjustified searches. Humiliating and degrading treatment.
End of restrictions for Palestinian Americans in Israel
Washington had repeatedly denounced an unacceptable situation. “ An American citizen is American first, regardless of ethnicity, skin color or faith “. This summer, Israel lifted its restrictions on Palestinian Americans. During this trial period, “ some 100 000 American citizens, including tens of thousands of Palestinian-Americans “, were able to enter Israel without a visa and go directly to the West Bank, American officials stressed. In return, the Hebrew State therefore joins the very selective club of countries exempt from visas for the United States.
This announcement marks “ an essential step towards our strategic partnership with Israel, which will further strengthen long-standing people-to-people engagement, economic cooperation and security coordination “, greeted the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken. “ This will save you, citizens of Israel, a lot of time, worry and money “, also reacted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing in a press release his “ deep gratitude to President Joe Biden “.
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