The Biden administration has admitted Israel into a select group of countries whose citizens are allowed to travel to the United States without getting a visa in advance.

The Biden administration is admitting Israel into a select group of countries whose citizens are allowed to travel to the United States without getting a visa in advance.

The decision announced Wednesday comes despite Washington’s concerns about the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinian Americans and marks a major accomplishment for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has sparred frequently with the Biden administration.

Under the waiver program, Israelis will be able to travel to the U.S. for business or leisure purposes for up to 90 days without a visa simply by registering with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. But even if they are authorized to travel under that system, U.S. officials at the airport can still bar them from entering the country.

  • Rapidcreek@reddthat.com
    14·
    1 year ago

    The move means Israel must take reciprocal actions toward American citizens, including Palestinian Americans who often face difficulties in traveling to Palestinian territories to see family members and friends.”

    Something tells me Biden sees this as a double-win.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
      72·
      1 year ago

      And if this allows Palestinians to come to the U.S. and they overstay their visas for, I don’t know, a few decades… I’d be okay with that.

      • Rapidcreek@reddthat.com
        5·
        1 year ago

        Oh where to start…

        Palestinians carry Palestinian passports. They will travel the same way they travel now.

        Israelis carry Israeli passports and will now be allowed to enter without visa.

        Hope that clarifies

      • Ikaros@lemmy.world
        113·
        1 year ago

        No thanks, they can stay in the west bank. We dont owe anything to the Palestinians. We already have an illegal immigration problem.