US Delegation to Visit Israel Over Visa Waiver Security Concerns
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
A U.S. delegation will visit Israel to review the visa waiver program following a security incident on a Flydubai flight. The delegation will assess Israel's compliance with a law requiring pre-screening of passengers and crew. Transportation Minister Miri Regev denied her ministry's responsibility for the lapse and requested significant funding and a new passenger screening procedure. A decision on the matter is expected after a meeting at the National Security Council.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A U.S. delegation will visit Israel to review the visa waiver program due to a security lapse.
- The delegation will check Israel's compliance with a U.S.-mandated law for pre-screening passengers.
- Transportation Minister Miri Regev denied her ministry's responsibility for the security lapse.
- Regev requested 40 million shekels and ten new positions to enhance flight safety oversight.
- A new procedure for passenger and crew pre-screening 48 hours before departure was also demanded.
- Other countries might impose visa requirements on Israelis if a new procedure is implemented.
A U.S. delegation, currently in the United Arab Emirates, is expected to arrive in Israel in the coming days to assess the possibility of revoking the visa waiver program for Israelis. This action follows a security lapse during a Flydubai flight, which raised concerns in the United States about Israel's adherence to the waiver's conditions. The Americans will examine whether Israel is complying with a 2023 law, mandated by the U.S., requiring Israeli authorities to pre-screen the names of passengers and crew on incoming flights. This law was a prerequisite for approving the visa waiver, according to Channel 12 News.
Concurrently, Transportation Minister Miri Regev sent an unusual letter to the National Security Council head, the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, and security chiefs. In her letter, Regev presented the findings of her ministry's internal investigation, stated that the authority did not lie with her, and denied any responsibility of the Ministry of Transportation for the lapse. Regev requested 40 million shekels in funding and ten new positions to enable her ministry to fulfill its safety responsibilities concerning chartered flights. She also demanded the creation of a procedure requiring all passengers and crew entering Israel to complete a dedicated form 48 hours before departure.
Sources speaking with Channel 12 News estimated that the demand for the new procedure would likely not be approved, due to fears that other countries might reciprocate by requiring visas from Israelis. A discussion is scheduled for Thursday at the National Security Council with all involved parties to decide which requests will be approved and how responsibilities will be divided.
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