UPDATE - US welcomes Israel's newly announced entry policies for US citizens

ADDS LATEST STATEMENT FROM STATE DEPARTMENT

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Wednesday welcomed Israel's announcement of a change in procedures for US citizens traveling to Israel for short-term visits.

"We understand that these changes are designed to ensure equal treatment for all U.S. citizens, without regard to national origin, religion, or ethnicity," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Miller said the new policies, which go into effect on July 20, will apply to all citizens, including Palestinian Americans, and will allow them to travel to Israel via all ports of entry, including Ben Gurion Airport.

The development comes after the US and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday which sets the conditions for Israel’s entry into the US Visa Waiver Program.

"For (Israel’s) entry into the Visa Waiver Program, the complete list of requirements must be satisfied," Miller said.

"The Department is working closely with the Government of Israel in its efforts to meet those requirements, in furtherance of our shared goal that Israel join the Visa Waiver Program when it meets all program requirements," he added.

The US will continue to "closely engage" with Israel and monitor the "implementation of its updated travel policies, which will inform Israel’s candidacy for the Visa Waiver Program," according to the statement.

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 the US Visa Waiver Program, which will enable its citizens to travel to the US without a visa, is reportedly dependent on the pilot program that will start on Thursday.