US may reassess Israel visa waiver following failure to screen flydubai co-pilot
Israel faces potential reassessment of its status in the US Visa Waiver Program following a security failure involving an Omani co-pilot on a flydubai flight. US authorities are investigating whether Israel failed to meet mandatory passenger and crew screening requirements.
Why it matters
Maintaining visa waiver status is a significant diplomatic and logistical milestone for Israel; losing it would impact travel and bilateral relations with the US.
Israel is concerned that the United States could reassess whether it is meeting the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program following the failure to properly screen the Omani co-pilot aboard the flydubai flight to Israel, a source familiar with the matter told Walla overnight Wednesday.According to the source, one of the requirements under the arrangement with the United States is that Israel receive and review all information concerning passengers and air crews arriving in the country.Following the incident, concern has emerged that Israel may not have met that requirement, potentially prompting US authorities to examine whether Israel remains in compliance with the program.A senior US State Department official told Walla that…
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