House Panel Approves Bill to Strengthen Israel-U.S. Ties
House of Representatives leaders will decide if measure to increase U.S. weapons stockpiles in Israel and allow Israelis to travel to U.S. without visas goes to a vote.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a bill that would enhance the already close U.S.-Israel defense relationship and grant Israelis the right to visit the U.S. without a visa.
The measure calls for expanding the reserve of U.S. weapons stockpiled in Israel and recommends that Israel join the U.S. visa waiver program, allowing for unfettered travel between the countries once Israel meets its requirements.
It names Israel a “major strategic ally” of the United States — no other nation has the status — and includes measures that would encourage enhanced cooperation such as missile development, energy and homeland security.
The bill initiated by U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) and Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), the top two members on the committee’s Middle East subcommittee, passed unanimously on Wednesday. Leaders of the full House of Representatives will decide if the measure goes to the full House for consideration. Similar legislation is under consideration in the U.S. Senate.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which strongly backs the bill, said it would “dramatically strengthen the relationship between the two allies as they work to confront new threats and challenges in the Middle East” and encouraged the full House to take it up.
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