A paper showing an Israel visa stamp in front of a US passport. Photo: Flickr.

Israel on Thursday launched a pilot program designed to reduce restrictions on Palestinian-American travelers as part of its bid to be accepted into the US Visa Waiver Program.

Outlined in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on Wednesday by Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog and US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides, the program will allow Palestinian-Americans to obtain a 90-day travel pass to Israel and the West Bank and to travel via Israel’s Ben Gurion airport. Palestinian-Americans previously had to typically travel to the West Bank via Jordan.

Israel’s National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi in a statement Wednesday said this pilot program was a significant milestone towards joining the US Visa Waiver Program.

“The reciprocity outline will allow any American citizen to enter Israel, and subsequently when Israel is accepted into the program, will allow Israeli citizens to enter the USA without a visa,” Hanegbi said. “This reciprocity outline will apply to all American citizens, including those with dual citizenship and those who are residents of Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip. Implementing this principle strengthens the unbreakable bond between our countries and directly contributes to Israel’s security.”

While the pilot program is a significant step towards reciprocity for Palestinian-Americans traveling to and from the West Bank, the MOU includes a security exemption for Americans living in Gaza, who will not be eligible for the 90-day pass.

US Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Peter Welch (D-VT), who say they support Israel’s entry to the Visa Waiver Program so long as it meets the eligibility requirements, said on Wednesday that it was not clear that the new program will meet the travel reciprocity standard known as ‘blue is blue,’ under which all American travelers must be treated equally.

“While we welcome Israel’s efforts to make policy changes that move towards reciprocal treatment of all U.S. citizens, concerns remain about whether this will meet the ‘blue is blue’ requirement,” the Senators said. “All U.S. citizens deserve equal treatment under the Visa Waiver Program – and we cannot move forward with Israel’s candidacy until that is guaranteed.”

Israel has long pushed for admission to the Visa Waiver Program, which would substantially reduce hurdles for Israelis attempting to visit the United States. Established in 1986, there are currently 40 countries included in the VWP, mostly in Europe.

Jewish groups on Wednesday welcomed the signing of the MOU.

“This is a huge step forward,” World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder said in a statement. “Jewish communities across the United States have large equities at stake, and community leaders nationwide have been making their voices heard in support of Israel’s bid. Our schools, summer camps, sister city relationships and myriad other cross-cultural programs will benefit immeasurably, as will so many families with relatives in both countries.”

Agudath Israel, the American Jewish Committee, and American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) were among the other Jewish groups that welcomed the agreement.

State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller on Wednesday said that the US will now monitor Israel’s implementation of reciprocity measures for several weeks ahead of the 30 September deadline for Israels admission to the Visa Waiver Program.