Despite recent tensions between the US and Israel, as can be seen from recent US criticisms of the Netanyahu government, progress has been made in the promotion of adding Israel to the Visa Waiver Program.
Kan 11 News reported on Wednesday that an American delegation will arrive in Israel next week and a pilot program will launch at Ben Gurion Airport that will examine the conditions for the entry of Palestinian Arabs with American citizenship into Israel, a basic requirement of the Americans.
As part of the additional demands of the Americans, Israel must prove that the rate of those who are refused entry has dropped below 3%.
In addition, Israel will have to allow the Americans access to criminal databases in Israel for background checks.
Both sides would also have to agree on reciprocity that would allow all Americans to visit Israel without a visa.
Wednesday’s report follows Thomas Friedman's column in the New York Times in which he claimed that the US is "reassessing" its relationship with Israel.
A White House official made clear on Wednesday evening that there is no talk within the Biden Administration about a possible "reevaluation" of the United States' relations with Israel.
Earlier, a senior Israeli diplomatic source stated that Israel had no knowledge of any such reassessment of US policy towards Israel.
"It's no secret that we have disagreements with the American administration regarding the creation of a Palestinian state, returning to the dangerous Iran nuclear deal, and Prime Minister Netanyahu's stance against the American 'no surprises' policy regarding Israeli action against Iran," the official said.