ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA IN THE MEDIA   American Jewish Groups, Except ZOA, Downplay Visa Waiver Program Risks To Israel - ZOA Quoted By Bradley Martin (August 8, 2023 / JNS) As the Sept. 30 deadline looms for Israel to either gain entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which it has sought for more than a decade or have to restart its application, questions loom about whether Washington’s entry requirements would create security risks for Israel. A sticking point has been that Foggy Bottom would require Israel to treat all U.S. citizens equally —meaning Israeli border and other police could not subject U.S. citizens with ties to Palestinian-controlled areas to any extra screening. “We have made clear, both publicly and privately, that the Visa Waiver Program needs to apply to all American citizens in Israel, whether they be in the West — and that includes whether they be in the West Bank or whether they be in Gaza,” said Matthew Miller, the U.S. State Department spokesman, during a press briefing on Aug. 1. “We understand that there can be different procedures for Americans in the West Bank because of the different security situation there,” he added. “But we have made clear that the program needs to apply for Americans there as well and to the extent Israel needs to make changes to how they’re implementing the program now, that is something that we fully expect them to do.” Morton Klein, national president of the Zionist Organization of America, told JNS that any visa-free travel agreement between Israel and the United States must not compromise Israeli security. “Israel has unique security needs,” he said. “Over 70% of Palestinian Arabs support terrorism against Jews and seek to destroy the Jewish state. Israel must thoroughly investigate whether Palestinian Americans who travel through its borders are part of a terrorist group or the BDS movement.” If Palestinian Arabs cross Israeli borders, then they must be “thoroughly screened,” according to Klein.  The Visa Waiver Program allows most citizens of the 40 participating countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days without a visa.   READ MORE     Upcoming ZOOM With ZOA Book Club Meeting "The Soros Agenda" Featuring Rachel Ehrenfeld Wednesday, August 16 at 1 PM EST REGISTER       Share This Email Share This Email VISIT OUR WEBSITE   Founded in 1897, ZOA played a key role in the Jewish State's re-establishment. Today, ZOA is the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of antisemitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people's lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands. ZOA exposes that a Palestinian state would endanger Israel's existence; presents the facts about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel; and combats the anti-Israel lie that Israel is an "occupier" of her own land. ZOA spearheaded long battles to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and apply civil rights protections to Jewish students. ZOA provides free legal assistance and programs to pro-Israel students at numerous college campuses. ZOA's bold, unapologetic voice has a significant impact on public discourse and policy. DONATE NOW Copyright © Zionist Organization of America 2023, All rights reserved. Zionist Organization of America | 633 Third Ave, 31 B, New York, NY 10017 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]