Pod Save America Hosts Call on Democrats to Cut All Israel Military Aid, No Longer Accept AIPAC Funding
Jews, Israelis Targeted in Austria Amid Surge in Antisemitic Incidents; Local Jewish Community Calls for Action
‘All of Our Strength’: Over 1,000 Pro-Israel Activists Gather in DC for Solidarity Conference
‘Devastated’: Wesley LePatner, Killed in Manhattan Mass Shooting, Was a Jewish Communal, Philanthropic Leader
Sen. Angus King Vows to No Longer Vote for Israel Military Aid Until Gaza Conditions Improve
Europe Won’t Pressure Israel to ‘Commit Suicide’ Amid Gaza Backlash, Palestinian State Push, Says Israeli FM
Israel’s National Soccer Coach Attacked in Athens Before Soccer Fans Chant ‘F–K Israel, Free Palestine’ at Match
New York Judge Sentences Neo-Nazi to 5 Years for Livestreaming Bomb Threats Against Jewish Hospitals
US Pressures Lebanon to Issue Cabinet Decision to Disarm Hezbollah Before Talks Continue
UK Plans to Recognize Palestinian State in September Unless Israel Meets Conditions, Starmer Says
US Set to Waive Visa Requirements for Israelis
Error: Contact form not found.
by JNS.org
The US Embassy in Tel Aviv. Photo: Krokodyl via Wikimedia Commons.
JNS.org – Israel’s Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked announced Monday that Israel is on the verge of finalizing an agreement that would allow Israeli citizens to enter the US without obtaining a tourist visa in advance.
The deal would allow the US to access a new biometric database of Israeli citizens who have been convicted of serious crimes, in the event that an Israeli citizen is suspected of criminal activity punishable by more than ten years in prison.
The US had previously demanded that it be allowed unrestricted access to Israel’s entire biometric database without an Israeli citizen being suspected of committing a crime, but shifted its position after negotiations with Shaked.
“[We are] completing the agreement to cancel the visas. Since I began my post, we have been working with the Americans in order to join the selected group of countries whose citizens are exempt from obtaining an entry visa to the US,” Shaked tweeted Monday. “We have found the balance between maintaining the privacy of Israeli citizens and the American demands.”
Shaked is scheduled to travel to the US within two weeks to finalize the agreement, which would come into effect within one to two years. Israel’s Knesset must also approve the agreement due to the sensitivity and private nature of the government data that would be shared with US authorities.
