Israel Extends Visa-Waiver Pilot to Include Americans from Gaza

Israel has included Palestinian Americans from the Gaza Strip in a pilot program that allows them to enter Israel on tourist visas, as part of its efforts to comply with the conditions for joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. The deadline for Israel to demonstrate compliance is September 30, and if successful, it expects to be incorporated into the program by November. The move comes after protests and calls for a change in policy, as Palestinian Americans from Gaza were initially excluded from the pilot. However, the new policy still restricts visits to Gaza for Palestinian Americans from abroad, allowing only once-yearly visits of up to 90 days for those with first-degree relatives there.