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Files from Ben Gurion Airport
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An Israeli official said that his country intends to facilitate the travel of Palestinians who hold American citizenship and reside in the Gaza Strip, starting next month.
This comes as part of an American program that allows Israelis to enter the United States without visas.
Under this program, in order for its citizens to enter the United States without visas, Israel must treat all American citizens alike.
Israel imposes restrictions on the Palestinians, and does not allow them to travel through its international ports.
However, since 20 July, Israel has eased travel restrictions across its international borders – as well as travel to and from the West Bank – for Palestinians with US citizenship.
However, this did not include the Gazans who hold American citizenship so far, which sparked protests from those in the Hamas-controlled sector, calling on Washington to intervene and make an amendment in implementing its program with Israel.
The number of Gazans holding American citizenship ranges between 100 and 130, according to Gil Bringer, director of the Israeli Visa Waiver Program.
Beringer believes that, within the framework of the experiment, they can enter the West Bank by private bus, cross into Jordan, and then continue from there to other destinations on the basis of family visits.
Bringer told Reuters news agency that by mid-September, Gazans with US citizenship who meet Israeli security criteria will be able to enter Israel on B2 tourist visas and travel from Ben Gurion’s main airport.
The Israeli official added, “This means that they are included in the experiment,” explaining that the target date was originally on September 22, but “if we can advance this date more, we will do so.”
Beringer noted that about 2,500 Palestinians holding American citizenship traveled across the borders of Israel in the first two weeks of the launch of the experiment.
Bringer said a similar number, 2,500, of Palestinians crossed to and from the West Bank.
This comes amid tense relations between the United States and the Israeli leadership, due to policies related to the Palestinians, as well as controversial judicial amendments in Israel.
Under the visa waiver program, Israel allows Palestinian Americans abroad with first-degree relatives in the Gaza Strip to make annual visits for up to 90 days.
And Palestinians with American citizenship received this news with welcome. Among them is Hani Al-Madhoun, who lives in the US state of Virginia and has relatives in Gaza.
“I am proud to be an American,” Madhoun told Reuters. “I have a government that represents me and pressures the Israelis to take the right step and treat all Americans equally.”
Madhoun added, “This visa waiver program is especially important for American citizens who hold a Gazan ID like me. After I had to fly to a third country… and take two days, I can go to an airport 40 minutes away. There is no doubt that It will make things easier for people.”
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2023-08-07 17:44:19
