US grants Israel visa waiver program
United States Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas granted permission to Israel to join the US Visa Waiver Program on Wednesday, seemingly boosting the relations between the countries.
The decision follows a two-month review of Israeli authorities' implementation of new regulations for Palestinians and Arab and Iranian Americans, Axios reported. The program allows Israeli citizens to travel to the US for 90 days without a visa. "This designation, which represents over a decade of work and coordination between the United States and Israel, will enhance our two nations' collaboration on counterterrorism, law enforcement, and our other common priorities," Mayorkas said in a statement.
Previously, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that citizens of Israel would be able to travel to the US without visa requirements starting September, following the finalization of legislative requirements.