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The US government has announced it is admitting Israel into a programme that will allow visa-free entry by Israeli citizens starting November 30.
Admission to the US Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), which Israel’s foreign ministry said was expected, is a win for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a time when relations between his religious-nationalist government and Washington have been strained over its judiciary overhaul plan and policies toward Palestinians.
Some Palestinians have protested against Israel’s entry into the programme, saying Israel for decades has discriminated against Arab Americans and harassed them at its borders. Four Democratic US senators including Chris Van Hollen said yesterday Israel has failed to meet requirements to treat all American travellers equally.
US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the announcement further “strengthens the security, economic and people-to-people ties between the United States and Israel.”
Palestinian-Americans living in the West Bank or living in the US now can enter Israel visa free, and fly in and out of Ben Gurion airport, reducing barriers to travel for these Americans.
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