The Biden administration, which is mediating the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, has decided to grant Israel visa waiver status. This is interpreted as a gesture to improve relations with Israel in order to facilitate the normalization of ties between the two countries.
According to the Associated Press citing five U.S. officials, Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, is expected to officially announce this policy on the 28th (local time), following the recommendation of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, reported on the 24th.
The U.S. State Department stated, "There is currently nothing official to announce," adding that "the Department of Homeland Security will make a final decision within a few days." The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which applies to 40 countries including South Korea, allows travelers to stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa if they obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before visiting.
The Israeli government has prioritized joining the Visa Waiver Program but faced difficulties due to not meeting certain conditions. The U.S. requires low visa refusal rates, low illegal stay rates, and reciprocity as necessary conditions for the Visa Waiver Program.
The Associated Press reported that Israel failed to meet the reciprocity condition by discriminating against Palestinian Americans, including banning their use of airports. In recent months, Israel has adjusted entry requirements for Palestinian Americans, including their use of Tel Aviv International Airport and access to the West Bank through Israel.
If the U.S. announces the visa waiver policy for Israel, it will be a significant achievement for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has faced U.S. criticism and some domestic opposition due to hardline measures such as legislative efforts to undermine the judiciary and settlement expansion, the AP reported.
This move comes eight days after President Biden met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in New York on the 20th. At that time, President Biden expressed concerns about some of Netanyahu’s policies but also expressed hope for Netanyahu’s visit to the White House within the year, seeking to improve relations.
One reason President Biden, who advocates human rights-centered value diplomacy, is seeking to improve relations with Israel’s far-right government is the ongoing negotiations to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
The Biden administration views the normalization of relations between the two countries as a potential diplomatic achievement to highlight ahead of next year’s presidential election. If official diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel are restored, the 'Indo-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC)' promoted by the Biden administration is expected to accelerate, which would also be a positive factor in the election campaign.
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