An initiative in the US Congress to consolidate legislation to exempt Israelis from the need for tourist visas for visits of up to 90 days is in trouble. There is a strong probability that the lines for visas outside the US Embassy in Tel Aviv will not disappear anytime soon.
The reason is that one of the versions of the bill exempts Israel from reciprocity, leaving an escape hatch to block entry to Israel of US citizens of Palestinian origin if there is suspicion that they could harm the country's security. The clause was appended to a bill at the request of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Sources in Washington believe that the Israel Security Agency (formerly the GSS or Shin Bet) objected to the automatic right of entry for US citizens to Israel, due to concerns that Palestinians with US passports could abuse the right.
There is opposition in both the Senate and House of Representatives to the exemption. None of the 37 countries whose citizens are exempt from US tourist visas has such a privilege. The opponents, all members of Congress who are friendly to Israel, say that it unacceptable for the US to help discrimination against its citizens by another country. A Congressional newspaper "The Hill" story is entitled, "AIPAC Bill Runs into Unusual Resistance in Congress."
Since 2005, Israel has been in talks with the US Department of State for Israel to join the visa waiver program. The talks have not yet resulted in an agreement.
There are two bills with the same name, "The United States-Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013." (HR 938 House version; S 462 Senate version). The following phrases appear both versions: Israel is a “major strategic partner” of the US; expansion of authority for forward-deployed US weapons stockpiles in Israel, providing important military equipment for either to use in a crisis; the enhancement of scientific cooperation and collaboration between the two countries; excepting Israel from certain licensing procedures for the export of dual-use and defense items, subject to the restrictions on their use; increase cooperation on cyber-security; and to find ways for Israel to join the Visa Waiver Program.
The Senate version of the bill, introduced by Barbara Boxer (Democrat - California) for herself and five other senators from both parties, includes the clause that is at the center of the dispute. It requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with the Secretary of State, to designate Israel as a program country, after Israel "has made every reasonable effort, without jeopardizing the security of the State of Israel, to ensure that reciprocal travel privileges are extended to all United States citizens."
These words, especially the phrase "without jeopardizing the security of the State of Israel", is Israel's escape hatch, allowing to block the entry of US citizens whom it believes will harm its security, according to the critics among lawmakers.
"Jewish Telegraphic Agency" (JTA) correspondent Ron Kampeas quotes a staffer for one leading pro-Israel lawmaker in the House, "It’s stunning that you would give a green light to another country to violate the civil liberties of Americans traveling abroad."
Kampeas quotes sources as saying that Israel’s government has made clear that it likely would not join the visa waiver program without such language in the law. "Israeli officials told JTA that US citizens already are free to travel to Israel, and that there is no need for holders of American passports to obtain a tourist visa before traveling."
He adds, "But there have been numerous reports in recent years that Israel routinely turns away or makes difficult the entry of Americans with Muslim and Arab names, often without explaining why. The State Department, in its Israel travel advisory, warns that “US citizens whom Israeli authorities suspect of being of Arab, Middle Eastern, or Muslim origin” may be denied “entry or exit without explanation.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 14, 2013
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