Israeli nationals will receive a final answer regarding their admission to the US Visa Waiver Program by September 30, a move that has been long expected, as Israelis will be able to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they are admitted to the program.
A press release by the US Department of State highlights that Israel began implementing new travel policies that comply with the Memorandum of Understanding on the Extension of Reciprocal Privileges and the Visa Waiver Program on July 20, and now it is expected to include US citizens registered in Gaza as well as Gaza residents to its travel policies, VisaGuide.World reports.
Throughout this journey, Israel made several commitments in order to be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program, which included recognizing the US citizens traveling to Israel with valid US passports, including those of Palestinian origin.
“This commitment does not affect Israeli law requiring that a citizen of Israel – even if they hold another citizenship – must enter Israel on their Israeli passport, just as the United States requires US citizens to enter the United States on a US passport,” the press release explains.
Other commitments include that US citizens may request visa-free entry to enter or exit Israel for business, tourism, or transit purposes, which is valid for 90 days.
In addition, a US citizen who requests entry into Israel for short-term visits has to be approved, excluding legitimate security, criminal, immigration, and health concerns.
Considering the tense security situation in Gaza, the US citizens who are residents of Gaza will not be allowed at this time to travel without visas directly from Gaza to Israel via the Erez border crossing, but the country will instead establish new procedures for this category. They will have to request a permit or visa for short-term visits, such as transit and tourism, to travel from Gaza to Israel via the Erez border crossings.
Israel will also ensure to offer secure travel options between Gaza and the Allenby Bridge border crossing for American citizens residing in Gaza, with applications and approval from the Palestinian Authority being required in advance.
All foreign visitors to Israel will be subject to travel authorization “Marom,” which will be fully operational in May 2024. In addition, if any US citizen is denied entry due to security, health, immigration, or criminal concerns based on the application of Israeli legal standards, the authorities will direct this person to seek a visa or permit for travel to Israel that complies with US treatment of citizens of other member countries of the Visa Waiver Program, who are denied visa-free travel to the States.