Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., October 06, 2008 Tishrei 7, 5769 | | Israel Time: 16:22 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 05:38 05/10/2008
U.S. considers waiving visa requirement for Israelis
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz U.S. Correspondent
Tags: Israel News, visa, U.S.

The U.S. may waive its visa requirement for Israelis, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff told Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit during their meeting in Washington Thursday.

"I received a positive readiness from Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff, and also from Under Secretary of State William Burns. Their agreement is necessary for the initiative to advance, and both of them support the idea," said Sheetrit. "All that remains is approval to bring Israel into the track that the U.S. has opened in the past for a few other countries [under visa waiver agreements]," he added.

Sheetrit spoke to Haaretz while in the U.S for talks aimed at achieving a visa-waiver agreement for Israelis. He said he received positive signals regarding the initiative, despite the preoccupation in Washington with the current financial crisis.
Advertisement
Sheetrit said he expects an agreement to be signed in 2009, with Israel planning to issue new biometric passports by then - a key condition of the U.S. visa-waiver program.

"It is absurd that the U.S. requires Israelis to have visas, when Americans are exempt from the need for a visa to Israel, and in many states around the world Israelis enter without visas," he said.

Related articles:
  • New U.S. bill may grant Israelis exemption from tourist visas
  • Russia, Israel set to sign agreement eliminating visa requirement
  • Olmert tells aides: Sheetrit is my top choice for Kadima leader
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Forgotten peace
    French FM: I fear distracted world may forget Mideast peace process.
    Settlers vs. Shin Bet
    Daniela Weiss: Shin Bet behind attack on left-wing advocate prof. Sternhell.
      1.   this is something they should have done long ago;it`s past time 16:18  |  glenna 06/10/08
     Read & React
    Burston: Obama-hate, and Sarah Palin's War on Terror
    Responses: 67
    Amir Oren: Nuclear deterrence attributed to Israel doesn't affect its enemies' plans
    Responses: 33
    Livni to France's Kouchner: I oppose Olmert's peace plan
    Responses: 86
    U.S. Jewish group recruits former Israeli defense officials for pro-Obama ad
    Responses: 47
    Editorial: Livni mustn't decide to strike Iran out of a desire for prestige
    Responses: 17


    More Headlines
    15:54 NATO chief: I doubt world will prevent Iran from building nukes
    16:21 Hezbollah source: 'Big surprise' awaits Israel if it attacks Lebanon
    10:05 Livni tells France's Kouchner: I oppose Olmert's peace plan
    12:17 Palestinians sue Israel for not evacuating West Bank outpost
    10:43 Obama-hate, and Sarah Palin's War on Terror
    11:21 Was Egyptian ex-Mossad agent murdered in London?
    16:17 Haifa Chief Rabbi at Vatican: Wartime Pope let Jews down
    15:42 Top Israeli defense officials star in pro-Obama ad
    14:23 Heftsiba's Yona convicted of litany of charges including fraud, theft
    10:43 Hamas funds being transferred to Israeli Arabs, documents reveal
    10:51 European countries ramp up deposit protection as stocks slump
    14:33 Hamas: PA President Abbas's term over in January
    14:22 Austrian teens visit Auschwitz - then vote for Joerg Haider
    16:13 Gaydamak's fraud, arms trafficking trial starts in Paris
    21:49 NGO appeals decision to hand over J'lem compound to Russia
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Dial 013 for your long-distance calls
    and get all your money back
    US CITIZENS
    Vote for real change. Request your ballot today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Israel's Premier Real Estate Website
    www. israel-property.com
    Hebrew Summer courses
    From $39.95
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved