US allows Israeli citizens to travel to US visa-free as Israel joins a select group of countries

https://apnews.com/article/visa-waiver-program-israel-united-states-palestinians-bc36df8be0a4c6bd85ef39161e81248b

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.

34 points · 10 comments · view on lemmy.world

10 Comments

Rapidcreek@reddthat.com · 14 pts · 2y (9 replies)

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.

FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y (8 replies)

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 pts · 2y (2 replies)

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

Cleverdawny@lemm.ee · 0 pts · 2y (1 reply)

It does include Israeli Arabs, which is nice

Rapidcreek@reddthat.com · 0 pts · 2y

Lots of Arabs in Isreal. Bibi could give them all passports and send them to the US. SCARY

Ikaros@lemmy.world · -12 pts · 2y (4 replies)

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

pgp@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 2y (3 replies)

Yes! All those Israelis illegally seizing Palestinians' homes and taking their land! Thank you!

Ikaros@lemmy.world · -10 pts · 2y (2 replies)

Fuck the Palestinians. You know nothing about history. I repeat what i said, WE OWE THEM NOTHING.

pgp@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 2y

And does the world owe the Israelis, exactly? Regarding history, there are many episodes in recent history that I will never forget, such as this one: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/20/israelis-cheer-gaza-bombing

wahming@monyet.cc · 1 pts · 2y

Doesn't sound like you know much about it either