By COLlive reporter
A new bill in Congress that calls on the U.S. to include Israel in the visa waiver program and upgrade relations between both countries is enjoying bipartisan support.
297 Republican and Democrat members of the House of Representatives are co-sponsoring the “United States – Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2013” which was assigned to a congressional committee.
It calls on the Secretary of State John Kerry to change the policy and include Israel in the list of countries that participate in the visa waiver program under section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, whose New York 9th Congressional District includes the Crown Heights neighborhood and home to Lubavitch Headquarters, is supporting the bill.
Israeli Lubavitchers who regularly fly to New York for the Tishrei month, Kinus Hashluchim convention and special chassidic dates (10 Shvat, 11 Nissan and 3 Tammuz) are among those faced with a lengthy visa application process.
If the bill passes, Kerry will need to report back to House Committee on the Judiciary whether Israel satisfies the requirements of the Immigration Act and what additional steps, if any, are required in order for Israel to qualify for inclusion in such program.
The bill also aims to increase the level of the Strategic Partnership between the U.S. and Israel, recognizing the mutual benefits to both countries from their relationship.
Among them are increasing cyber-security cooperation, assistance for enhancement of the Iron Dome short-range rocket defense system and David’s Sling Weapon System.
“The residents of Park Slope, Crown Heights, Flatbush, and Marine Park all appreciate Congresswoman Clarke’s strong stand on an issue that is very important to them,” said activist Chanina Sperlin.
Sperlin, intergovernmental liaison for the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council (CHJCC), added that Clarke has “seen first-hand the mortal danger which Israeli citizens face from their neighbors” while visiting Sderot and “recognizes that Israel protects the U.S. interest of security and stability in a very unstable part of the world.”
That any Muslim who has a blue t.z. is considered an Israeli citizen in every way.
And America doesn’t allow itself to do racial profiling.
So while in theory, I am all for this and it sounds great – I am not sure that security-wise it is a good thing. Unless they find some way to limit it by religion, which I don’t think they will, considering it no longer says, “le’um” on the t.z., and has asteriks instead…
Problem is that there is over a million “Israeli” arab’s, who would come under this program too – so how do we keep the terrorist element amongst them out??
The congresswoman’s right hand man. He’s the one behind the scenes making it all happen
Yes, Kakoras Htoyve is what we are all about.
Add me to the list. I live in Boro Park.
It is reassuring to see that Congresswoman Yvette Clarke is being seen as the friend of Israel that she truly is.
I pray and hope that those that are always ready to criticize, are as willing and ready to acknowledge and thank.
Here goes: THANK YOU REPRESENTATIVE CLARKE, FROM STREANGHTH TO STREANGHTH.
A costituent 9th Congressional District.