After a bipartisan push led by Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Israel has been formally admitted into the United States Visa Waiver Program.
This means that individuals from countries that participate in the program can travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less without needing a visa.
Since 2021, both Sens. Scott and Rosen have been fighting for this very measure.
“Today's announcement of Israel's admittance into the Visa Waiver Program is great news and the product of months of strong, bipartisan support for Israel in Congress,” said Sen. Scott. “I have been proud to work alongside Senator Jacky Rosen to urge the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security to take this action, which further strengthens the bond between the United States and our great ally, Israel, through increased tourism and business travel.”
The Florida senator went on to mention that this move “reinforces the special relationship between America and Israel.
“Every step toward increased partnership between the American and Israeli people only reinforces the special relationship between our nations. I look forward to seeing the positive cultural and economic outcomes this development will bring,” said Scott.
Moreover, Sen. Rosen provided her thoughts as well on Israel’s formal admittance to the program.
“Israel is one of America’s closest allies and an important trading partner. By adding Israel to the Visa Waiver Program, we’ll strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship and help increase tourism and business travel to the United States. I was proud to lead the bipartisan push to get this done, and I’ll continue working across the aisle to strengthen ties between our two nations,” stated Rosen.
According to Scott’s press release, the two senators sent multiple letters to the Biden administration regarding this very issue, including a letter from June 2023 which included a bipartisan group of 65 senators.
In July, Scott met with several military officials and Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss “work to advance national security and economic interests, and reinforce our commitment to promote and protect America's valuable relationships with our partners across the Middle East."
The move by Scott was considered controversial, as Israel had just conducted a two-day air raid on the city of Jenin. The attacks were in an effort to target militant Palestinian strongholds. At least 11 people died in the military raid, the largest in the West Bank in about 20 years, and more than 100 others were injured, according to humanitarian organizations responding to the operation.
