In a pivotal move expected to fortify the ties between the United States and Israel, the administration of President Joe Biden is poised to approve Israel’s accession to a program allowing its citizens visa-free travel to the US. This decision is anticipated despite Washington’s enduring concerns regarding the Israeli government’s treatment of US citizens of Palestinian origin.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees this program. At present, it facilitates citizens from 40 countries, predominantly from Europe and Asia, to journey to the United States without a visa for up to three months.
US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is slated to formally announce this historic decision next Thursday. The declaration will follow closely on the heels of a recommendation from Secretary of State Antony Blinken advocating for Israel’s inclusion, as per insights from five officials familiar with the matter who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity given the decision’s pending status.
Insiders reveal that they anticipate Blinken’s recommendation to be finalized by next Tuesday at the latest. Interestingly, this landmark announcement will come just eight days after a significant meeting between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York, which took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. While both leaders remained tight-lipped about this topic during their brief press remarks post-meeting, it has been a subject of intense negotiations and discussions for several months.
The visa waiver program’s extension to Israel further emphasizes the dynamic nature of US-Israel relations and underscores the countries’ mutual commitment to fostering closer ties.
