Iranian-born, Israeli terror victims denied entry into US, the Jerusalem Post says.
The United States has refused to give visas to four Israelis who are terror victims or relatives of those killed in attacks because they were born in Iran, Israel Radio reported.The four people were due to leave Wednesday night for Los Angeles to participate in a conference with other terror victims.
The US has instituted a policy requiring that all visa applicants that were born in an Islamic country must wait a period of three weeks before being granted permission to enter the country.
UPDATE (8/15): Laurence Simon realized that several members of the Israeli government not to mention President Katsav were also born in Islamic countries.
Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at August 14, 2002 08:30 AMSomething else of interest on that page:
"Palestinian man killed on suspicion of collaborating with Israel"
Suspicion?
Hamas official: Amir! I heard a rumor that you are "collaborating" with the enemy! Are you?
Amir: No, I am not!
Hamas official: Let this be a lesson to you then. *BANG*...*BANG*
Posted by: Bashir Gemayel on August 14, 2002 12:02 PMThe following is a list of the countries whose citizens can enter the US for a limited period of time without visas, apparently regardless of their birthplace:
"Currently, 28 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Uruguay."
Source: http://travel.state.gov/visa;visitors.html
Just why don't Israelis belong to the same priviledged category?
Posted by: V on August 14, 2002 03:45 PMI think this calls for a little research into the national originals of the Knesset and to see what the INS/State Department would screw up there...
Posted by: Laurence Simon on August 15, 2002 09:29 AMDidn't take long... so, do the same rules apply to Iraq-born Binyamin Ben-Eliezer? I mean, he's born Iraqi... must be a dangerous evil fellowthat demands a background check or three?
If the name isn't familiar, he's the Defense Minister of Israel. And he's got such a nice punim, too! http://www.knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mkindex15_eng.asp?view=2
Posted by: Laurence Simon on August 15, 2002 09:38 AMStrange that Canada isn't on that list either.
Posted by: Geoff M on August 15, 2002 11:29 AMNow now now... YOU were the one who pointed out Il Presidente Flagrante Delicto's origins. I can't take all the credit.
Do you think JT @ WSJ will pick up on that?
Posted by: Laurence Simon on August 16, 2002 07:41 AMAmazing! Our "friends" the Saudis aren't on that Visa Waiver Program list! INS seems to have done ONE thing right, at least...
Posted by: BarCodeKing on August 19, 2002 06:57 AMCanada isn't on the list because Canadians never require visasto enter USA. Technically the visa waiver countries' citizens do, but in the majority of. cases they can ''waive" that requirement
Posted by: J G on June 22, 2005 02:25 PM