Israelis are now permitted to visit the US for 90 days without a visa

The US established a visa waiver program Thursday for Israelis visiting the US for 90 days or fewer as the Israel-Hamas war escalates.

Israel joined the visa waiver program on Sept. 27, joining 40 largely European and Asian nations that can visit the U.S. for three months without a visa.

Homeland Security stated the program was operational Thursday in a news release.

Israelis must register with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization for the waiver. Homeland Security stated in the news release that that automated mechanism determines travel eligibility. It may take 72 hours. Then they can visit America.

Israelis need biometric passports. Without such a passport, applicants must apply for a U.S. visa, the government said.

Countries applying for Visa Waiver Program must meet three criteria. Israel met two of three standards over the past two years: a low percentage of visa applicants were rejected and a low percentage overstayed their visas. Israel grappled with the third, reciprocity, which requires all U.S. citizens, including Palestinian Americans, to be treated similarly while going to or via Israel.

Despite American claims, Palestinian Americans were still discriminated against in Israel, critics alleged.