JERUSALEM POST
by Michael Wilner
September 19, 2014

ISIS tables language on Israeli inclusion in visa waiver program; Long-stalled bill passes upper chamber, declaring Israel “major strategic partner.”

An omnibus bill full of measures improving the relationship between Israel and the United States has passed the US Senate, after delay since May. The bill declares Israel a “major strategic partner” of the US, enhances Israel’s trade status to expedite export licensing, increases cooperation on energy, water engineering, research and development, and expands authority for forward-deployed US weapons stockpiles in the Jewish state.

But missing from the bill is action on an issue long encouraged by Israeli officials and their advocates on Capitol Hill: inclusion of Israel  in the US visa waiver program, which would allow smooth travel from one country to the other. The visa waiver program has become controversial in recent weeks for reasons “entirely unrelated to Israel,” one source familiar with the bill told The Jerusalem Post, “but because of what is going on with ISIS [Islamic State].”……

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http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/US-Senate-elevates-Israels-status-as-major-strategic-partner-375833