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THE U.S. has added Israel to its visa-free travel program, allowing Israelis to travel to the U.S. without a visa process — a long-sought win for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Department of Homeland Security announced the previously speculated move late Tuesday, a week after Netanyahu met with President Biden at the United Nations in New York City.
“Israel’s designation into the Visa Waiver Program helps the United States and Israel meet key national security goals and enhances — including through the enhanced Israeli cooperation with the U.S. — counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security and border management,” a DHS spokesman said on a Tuesday call with reporters.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) covers 40 mostly European and Asian countries and is reciprocal, meaning American citizens — including Palestinian Americans — can also visit Israel without a visa.
“This program not only benefits Israel and the United States, but also citizens who live in the West Bank and Gaza who can now visit Israel visa-free. This effort holds great promise for people-to-people ties between the United States and Israel,” the spokesperson said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen discussed the move before the announcement Tuesday. He said it will begin in November.
“This is a great achievement that testifies to the close relations between Israel and our great ally, the USA,” Cohen said.
