New York, NY… Harriet P. Schleifer, Chair, and William Daroff, CEO, of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, issued the following statement:
“The Conference of Presidents welcomes the State of Israel’s long overdue admission to the Visa Waiver Program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State. Israel now joins more than 40 Visa Waiver Program countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, and South Korea, whose citizens enjoy the ability to travel to the United States without a visa for 90 days.”
“Israel’s entry into the Visa Waiver Program will bring tangible benefits to both American and Israeli citizens. The relatives of Jewish Americans in Israel will no longer be forced to go through a lengthy, expensive, and cumbersome process to visit their families. Additionally, Israel’s entry into the Visa Waiver Program reduces barriers to commerce between American and Israeli entrepreneurs, enhancing American firms’ competitiveness in key sectors such as AI and Semiconductors.”
“We commend Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas, and Foreign Minister Cohen for their tireless cooperation to secure Israel’s eligibility to enter the Visa Waiver Program and the support provided by congressional leaders from both parties.”
“Israel’s status as the Middle East’s first entrant into the Visa Waiver Program is emblematic of the deeply rooted partnership shared by the United States and Israel. As leaders of the American Jewish community, we welcome this development and further efforts to reinforce and strengthen the ties between our two great nations.”
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