U.S. intelligence objects to visa waiver for Israelis
▻http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.586303
Allowing entry to Israelis without visa would make it easier for Israeli spies, the House Judiciary Committee was warned, according to a report in Roll Call.
Haaretz, By Barak Ravid | Apr. 19, 2014 |
Officials in the United States intelligence community are opposing the admission of Israel to the Visa Waver program – aimed at easing the entry of foreigners to the country – for fear that it would facilitate espionage, according to Roll Call, an online news source that covers the U.S. Congress. The Visa Waver program, which already includes 38 countries, would allow Israelis to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa.
Congress members and staffers in the House Judiciary Committee expressed concerns that admitting Israel to the program would make it easier for Israeli spies to enter the U.S., according to the report in Roll Call, which was based on interviews with lawmakers and staffers who took part in a classified committee briefing several weeks ago. The context of the briefing was the attempt by several congressmen and senators to promote legislation that would admit Israel into the program.