Israel will allow all American citizens, including dual-nationality Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, to enter the country through its international airport
The announcement comes as part of an agreement to qualify for a visa waiver program with the U.S.
Those traveling to the occupied West Bank or the Gaza Strip must enter via neighboring Jordan or Egypt.
Other Americans of Arab origin or Muslim faith say they’ve suffered similar restrictions, as well as U.S. citizens with political views Israel finds objectionable.
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the U.S. “will monitor not just their implementation of these policies, but their compliance with these policies and compliance with other facets of the Visa Waiver Program” and decide on Sept. 30 whether to admit Israel.
Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, highlighted that the regulation took effect on Thursday, adding that it will strengthen ties between the countries and “brings us closer to full qualification for the terms of the U.S. government to the visa waiver program.”
