Washington – US Congressman Brad Sherman (Democrat, California), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced the Visa Waiver for Israel Act, a bill allowing Israel’s entrance into the US Visa Waiver Program.
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The Visa Waiver Program allows nationals from certain countries to enter the US as temporary visitors for tourism or business for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa from a US consulate abroad.
“I’m pleased to join with my colleagues Ted Poe (Republican-Texas), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican-Florida) and eleven additional members of Congress to introduce the Visa Waiver for Israel Act,” said Sherman. “Israel is our closest friend and democratic ally in the Middle East. Adding Israel to the Visa Waiver Program will boost business, tourism, and job creation here in the US and enhance cultural ties between our two nations.”
In the past, a similar proposal to add Israel to the Visa Waiver Program was rejected by the Senate.
The Embassy of Israel released a statement in support of the legislation, saying it would “stimulate numerous business endeavors, and help promote closer cultural, economic, and touristic ties. The passage of this legislation would further strengthen the special and deep relationship between Israel and the United States.”
And all the Arabs have the right?
The line of Israelis in shuls every day and knocking on doors will increase exponentially.
It’s a long troubling story that the yeshivas here have to compete with and are severely impacted by the competition from the Israelis.
This will make a difficult situation that much worse.
With the Israeli government preparing to force the hareidim into the army, the influx of Israelis to the U.S. will increase. This change will increase the flow, regardless of whether it will be legal to actually stay or not.
Ummmm. I guess that would include Israeli Arabs? No thanks.
ELAL will have to provide extra airplanes for all de shnorers who will come to NY
This has tremendous potential for abuse – the Heimishe oilam in the US has to be careful to avoid harboring illegals from Israel, as they can get into trouble too. This could be very dangerous for any number of reasons.
What’s going on?
Is it election time again?
Its about time!
There should be visa requirements required of ALL visitors to the USA, including those from Canada and Mexico. The 9/11 Commision also recommended that the State Department representatives at American embassies abroad, do a much better screening job of investigating the criminal and/or terrorist related background of individuals seeking any visas. In addition, there is the ongoing problem of visitors with visas overstaying their visas, after entering the USA. Without visas, it will be much harder to track such individuals. Years ago, all aliens had to register at the local post office, every January. For whatever reason, that requirement was abolished. Once anyone makes it to the USA, there is no systematic method to track their whereabouts, as hotels do not require individuals to show their passports; however, throughout the world, including EY, when foreign guests check into a hotel, they must show their passport.
Between Israeli Palestinians and Russian Mafiosos living in Israel I think visas are a good idea.