About a month ago, Israel Hayom first reported on an agreement that would allow Palestinians with American passports to enter Israel as tourists. The agreement was signed on Wednesday, marking one of the critical steps on the way to granting visa exemptions to Israelis who wish to fly to the United States.
The previous steps Israel has gone through on its way to obtaining the long-awaited exemption for its citizens are a drop of below the 3% threshold for all denied visa applicants, information sharing and other American requirements. Currently, there remain mainly technical matters and understandings that need to be reached with the US government, but it can be said quite clearly that in terms of the technical process – we have completed most of the critical and important stages on the way to visa exemption. This, of course, comes with a price – Americans' demands for information about Israeli travelers and the principle of reciprocity that makes it easier for all American passport holders to enter Israel.
"All Israelis will finally be able to enter the US": Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, on the visa waiver program, in 2021 // Photo:
It is important to emphasize that although it will be much easier for them to enter Israel, like the United States, Israel may demand information regarding certain passengers and, if necessary, even prohibit their entry into Israel. The Americans will also be able to do so and ban some Israelis from entering the United States, despite the visa exemption, if it is indeed approved and goes into effect.
Senior officials involved in the issue expressed to Israel Hayom very optimistic, according to which they estimated that this year we will be able to fly to the United States without the need for a visa. The target date for the process to be completed is September 30, and if Israel does not manage to reach all the understandings and sign all the agreements by then, the long-awaited exemption will not be accepted in 2023.
Experts and those involved in the issue estimate that the chances of receiving an exemption are higher than ever, and they express optimism that even sounds close to certainty. However, of course, it is not recommended to rely on this optimism, and until the agreement is finalized, it is not advisable to book plane tickets if you do not have a visa, since there is also the possibility that in the end the exemption will not be received.
Visa to the United States (illustrative), photo: Ami Shumen
In recent weeks, there has been some distance between the countries, partly due to the legal reform, and there are those who believe that the distance may harm the chances of Israelis receiving the long-awaited exemption. However, in recent days, Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with US President Joe Biden, and the two had what was described as a good conversation, including the issue of visas. At the same time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Biden by phone, and there is a possibility that he too will meet with the American president this year.
In conclusion, the chances of obtaining a visa exemption are very high, but still uncertain. The State of Israel succeeded in meeting all the significant requirements, changed its policy regarding entry into Israel and agreed to the demands of the Americans. On the face of it, Israel is on the right path to a visa exemption to the United States, but it must be said cautiously that the whole process is not yet over.
An end to queues? Visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv (archive), photo: Joshua Yosef
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