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16 Jul, 2013

‘Biased’ Israeli visa plan pits U.S. Congress against White House | The Japan Times

Some critics are sensitive about expressing their reservations in public, wishing to avoid getting in a public argument with a close ally, with the bills’ supporters or with the powerful pro-Israel lobby AIPAC.

Boxer said the law will benefit U.S. citizens by specifically requiring the secretaries of state and homeland security to certify that Israel is doing all it can to facilitate travel for Americans before it can enter the visa waiver program.

But critics believe they see a problematic loophole.

In June, 15 Democratic members of Congress and one Republican wrote a letter to Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. expressing concern that Israeli border officials were “disproportionately singling out, detaining and denying entry to Arab and Muslim Americans.” They demanded equal treatment, the letter said.

Read the rest: ‘Biased’ Israeli visa plan pits U.S. Congress against White House | The Japan Times.