Israel Says Its Citizens Will Soon Enter US Without a Visa

  • US official says announcement ‘premature,’ no decision yet
  • US waiver contingent on free entry for Palestinian Americans

A US flag near Misgav Am, Israel.

Photographer: Jalaa Marey/AFP/Getty Images

Israel’s citizens will be permitted entry to the US without a visa from November, its foreign minister said, following a trial phase in which it had to show it would allow free entry to Palestinian Americans.

“Great news for the citizens of Israel ahead of the new year; as we promised, this coming November we will enter the visa exemption program for the USA,” Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said in a video announcement on X, formerly Twitter.