The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is admitting Israel into the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP), allowing visa-free entry by Israeli citizens from Nov. 30, officials said.

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The decision, which Israel's Foreign Ministry said on Monday was expected, is a win for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist government, whose relations with Washington have been strained over its judiciary overhaul plan and its policies towards the Palestinians.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday announced the designation of Israel into the visa waiver program.

"Israel's entry into the Visa Waiver Program, and the stringent requirements it entails, will make both of our nations more secure," they said in a statement.

Video: Biden speaks on America's commitment to Israel's security / Credit: Reuters

Palestinian Americans both living in the West Bank and living in the United States now have the ability to enter Israel visa free, and fly in and out of Ben-Gurion International Airport, reducing barriers to travel for these Americans, the US said.

For admission to the program that allows visitors to stay for up to 90 days without a visa, Washington requires countries to meet requirements on issues such as counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management. Countries must also treat all US travelers equally, regardless of other passports they hold.

In Israel's case, that means free passage for Palestinian Americans at Ben Gurion airport. Some Palestinians have protested against Israel's entry into the VWP, citing what they say are decades of discriminatory treatment of Arab Americans and harassment at Israel's borders. In a pilot period since July 20, Israel has eased access for Palestinian Americans through its borders and the West Bank.

Between 45,000 and 60,000 Palestinian Americans live in the West Bank, a US official estimated. An Israeli official put the figure lower, saying that of 70,000 to 90,000 Palestinian Americans worldwide, 15,000 to 20,000 are West Bank residents.

There were previously 40 countries in the VWP, with nations added infrequently, Croatia being the most recent in 2021.

A group of four Democratic US senators including Chris Van Hollen said Wednesday that Israel has failed to meet requirements all American travelers are treated equally. Blinken said the announcement "will enhance freedom of movement for US citizens, including those living in the Palestinian Territories or traveling to and from them."

On Tuesday, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee on Tuesday filed suit against the Department of Homeland Security, seeking to block Israel's entry to the program.

A US judge in Detroit denied an emergency motion on procedural grounds, saying the department had not been provided proper notice of the lawsuit.

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The Israeli Ambassador to the US Gilad Erdan said Israel could complete the process of joining the US waiver program as early as mid-2022.

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"After I presented all the data to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and explained to him the reason why Israel did not meet all of the criteria [for the program], he was convinced this stemmed from a lack of understanding of the lifestyle in Israel on the part of immigration clerks and the delay in age created for veterans until they get a degree and a proper job. From that moment, a significant breakthrough was made that should lead to a resolution at the end of the process. We established joint working teams, and Israel has an answer for each of the program's requirements."

In an August meeting with Prime Minister Naftali Bennet, US President Joe Biden said he intended to add Israel to the visa waiver program.

"Ahead of the prime minister's Washington visit, I acted together with his team and the administration for there to be a presidential statement. And indeed, the president expressed his desire to see Israel included in the waiver program, and this is very significant progress," Erdan said.

Israel has been lobbying for the move for years, as being included in the US visa waiver program would enable all Israelis to visit the United States for up to 90 days for tourism or business.

Currently, Israelis seeking to travel to the US, even briefly, must go through a lengthy visa application process.

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