US admits Israel to visa waiver program, deal includes Gaza Americans
As part of the negotiations, Israel eased travel restrictions for Palestinian-Americans from both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
US officials confirmed Wednesday that Israel has qualified for the American visa waiver program, enabling Israeli nationals to travel to the United States without pre-demanding a tourist-entry visa.
The Biden adminstation officials called Israel a "key US partner and ally" in a call with reporters.
"This program not only benefits Israel in the United States, but also [American] citizens who live in the West Bank and Gaza can now visit Israel visa-free," they said, explaining that the decision came "not as a favor, but because it benefits both US and Israeli interests."
As part of the negotiations, Israel agreed to ease travel restrictions for Palestinian-Americans from Gaza and the West Bank.
