US Visa Waiver for Israelis at Risk After Security Lapse

A US delegation is expected to visit Israel in the coming days to assess whether the country still meets the security requirements for its visa waiver program, following a security lapse on a Fly Dubai flight. The delegation, currently in the United Arab Emirates, could recommend the cancellation of the waiver, according to N12. The visa waiver for Israelis was granted in 2023 after Israel committed to stringent security measures, including passenger and crew name checks for flights arriving in Israel. The recent incident has prompted the US to re-evaluate Israel's adherence to these conditions. If Israel is found to be non-compliant, Israelis could lose their visa-free travel status and be required to apply for visas to enter the United States.

In parallel, Minister of Transportation Miri Regev sent a letter to the National Security Advisor, the Prime Minister, cabinet ministers, and security chiefs, disclaiming responsibility for the lapse on the part of the Ministry of Transportation. She proposed a new procedure requiring passengers and crew on flights to Israel to complete a screening form 48 hours before departure. However, sources familiar with the matter indicate this demand is unlikely to be accepted, partly due to concerns that other countries might impose similar requirements on Israelis.