Israeli Ambassador to the United States and United Nations Gilad Erdan said Friday he had "no doubt" that the US would soon grant visa waivers to Israelis wishing to travel to the country.
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In a statement shortly after Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and President Joe Biden met on Friday, Erdan said he was very optimistic about the president's remarks that his administration will seek to include Israel in the Visa Waiver Program.
"I have no doubt that after the president's words, the efforts to allow Israelis to enter the United States freely without wasting time and money on visas will finally bear fruit," Erdan said.
Until now, Israelis wishing to travel to the US had to get a visa, priced at $150, and wait in long lines. Many were denied permits altogether. Before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the US was the most popular destination for Israelis. It remained popular during the pandemic as well, and is expected to become even more in-demand with the granting of the US visa waiver.
Four airlines have direct flights from Israel to the US now – El Al, United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta. A large number of Israelis travel to the US via a stopover in Turkey (using Turkish Airlines) or Canada (using Air Canada). Israelis are not permitted to fly to the US via a stopover in any European Union country, however, this restriction is also expected to be canceled soon.
Bennett and Biden raised several key topics during their meeting at the White House, including the third coronavirus vaccine shot, the crisis in Afghanistan, the Iranian threat and the security of Israel.
i24NEWS contributed to this report.
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