US demands equal treatment of all its citizens by Israeli border guards

WASHINGTON (AA) – The U.S. has called on Israel to ensure equal treatment of all U.S. citizens regardless of national origin, religion, or ethnicity.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that this policy of equal treatment should apply to all U.S. citizens, including Palestinian Americans.

“Our understanding is that this policy will apply to all US citizens, including Palestinian Americans on the Palestinian population registry,” said Miller.

He said the U.S. would monitor Israel’s implementation of the equal treatment policy. Israel has sought to participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

This would allow its citizens to travel to the U.S. without a visa. However, this gesture will require a quid pro quo from Israel.

The U.S. government will decide by September 30 whether Israel will be included in the program.

“We will monitor not just their implementation of these policies but their compliance with these policies and compliance or other facets of the Visa Waiver Program, and by September 30 US government makes a decision on whether they merit admission into the program,” Miller added.

Israel often denies Palestinian Americans entry or makes it difficult for them to travel at Israeli airports or land borders.

Israel is slated to begin a month-long trial on Thursday, which will test its preparedness for offering unfettered passage to Palestinian-Americans who are West Bank residents.

Israel’s bid to join to US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which enables its citizens to travel to the US without a visa, is reportedly dependent on the pilot program that will start on Thursday.