The pending dissolution of the Knesset and the general election expected in the fall could delay Israeli admission to the US Visa Waiver Program, which would exempt Israelis from needing tourist visas before traveling to the US.
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Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked and US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides have said that Israel could enter the program in 2023, but that is less likely in light of the election.
The legislation required for Israel to meet US requirements for inclusion in the program has not yet been completed and could now be suspended.
Officials close to Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked were furious at Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu, whose refusal to pass the requisite laws harmed all Israeli citizens, they said.
"It's not a matter of right or left or coalition and opposition," they said. "All Israeli citizens want this visa exemption and would benefit from it. It's unacceptable that the Opposition is torpedoing these important laws."
Likud officials rejected the claims, saying they are not delaying the laws. "There is a negotiation with the coalition and we expect there to be agreements. If the coalition meets us halfway, we will do the same, just as we did with the Metro law," they said.
