The mandate was originally set to go into effect on May 20th, 2022. However, according to the Israeli NGO group HaMoked, Israeli authorities have delayed the new regulations to July 5th, 2022 "in order to consider the concerns raised,” in response to a High Court petition. The 97-page mandate represents a clear Israeli intention to restrict, track, and trace the travel of foreign nationals to the occupied Palestinian territories, control Palestinian population growth, and keep data on the land claims of Palestinians holding foreign nationality. They blatantly differentiate between Americans of Palestinian origin, those with roots in the occupied Palestinian territories, and other Americans. In addition, they differentiate between travelers visiting Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and those visiting Jewish residents of Israeli illegal settlements there. Most notably, the new rules no longer treat the occupied West Bank as a separate geographic unit from Israel. Israel’s record of human rights abuses, illegal annexation of lands, and the institutionalization of a system of apartheid are all contrary to the most basic of American values, let alone international law. Despite these violations, the United States has remained committed to providing unlimited and unconditional political, economic, and military support to Israel, in violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and the laws of the United States - this must end. Americans for Justice in Palestine (AJP Action) stands true to the fact that no country, let alone a beneficiary of American taxpayer dollars, should get a free pass for discriminating against American citizens based on their origins and political views. Israel remains unequivocally disqualified from being admitted to the US Visa Waiver Program, and we must make it known to Secretary Blinken. Use your voice to prevent Israel from being admitted into the visa waiver program ASAP and make sure we reach the signature goal before our petition closes on May 16th, 2022. Sign AJP Action’s petition. Thank you for your continued support of and action for Palestine and Palestinians. |
