US embassy in Tel Aviv cancels tourist visa applications, reduces staff claiming security concerns. Does US fear Hamas attack? To obtain US entry Israelis should simply get visa to Honduras or Guatemala, hop a train to the US, tell border patrol in Spanish that gangs are bad at home, you'll be welcomed in for as long as you wish to stay!

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7/30/14, "US Embassy in Tel Aviv Severely Restricts Visas for Israelis," Israel National News, Tova Dvorin

"Tourist visa process cancelled until further notice, embassy announces. Is it a matter of security, or discrimination?"

"The US embassy in Tel Aviv has cancelled tourist visa applications for Israelis, according to a statement on its official website, in a move it claims is a matter of staffing and security.

  

"Due to the current security situation in Tel Aviv, U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv remains open but is operating at reduced staffing until further notice, and has canceled routine visa application processing and American Citizen services," the statement says. "Emergencies involving an American citizen and visa applications will be considered on a case by case basis."

The statement surfaces in the midst of both souring US-Israel relations and an already-pressured visa crisis, which has seen the visa process for Israelis grow more and more difficult over the past year.

In April, US Secretary of State John Kerry announced an internal review into claims that hundreds of young Israelis were being barred from entering the US for political reasons.

An initial investigation found that the rejection rate of visa applications for young Israelis ages 21-26 had doubled, from 16% in 2009 to 32% in 2014; Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro stated that the visa crisis is close to coming to an end several days later [in April 2014]. 

"The department will take immediate steps to increase the number of young Israelis that can travel to the US according to our immigration laws," Shapiro wrote, in a Facebook post.

"The law dictates that applicants must prove that they intend to return to Israel in making the request, and that the visa does not allow recipients to stay beyond the designated time period or to work legally in the US," he said. "But we are aware of the fact that although two-thirds of young applicants receive visas, some people harbor a misconception that young Israelis are not welcome in the USA."  

"Surely that's not true," he continued. "Israel is one of the US's closest allies, and we welcome all networking between Israelis and Americans, including visits to the United States."

Israeli officials have yet to respond to the letter, which responds to earlier claims that political motivations were at stake in the visa rejections.

Earlier this year, Israeli security officials also claimed they were being targeted by the US, and that hundreds of defense officials were turned away from making important visits to Washington.

Major Israeli politicians claimed in May that the US had been "humiliating" them during the visa application process for years [since at least 2011], according to a report in Yediot Aharonot, and had been forced to endure long wait times for acceptance and allowed only brief visits 

to their alleged ally." via Pamela Geller

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Free Republic commenter to above article:

"Israelis that want to visit the US have to do it the official way preferred by Washington. First, get a visa to Honduras or Guatemala. When you arrive there, walk over to Mexico and hop on La Beastia. At the last stop, hop over to Border Patrol, tell them in Spanish you are 14 and persecuted. When Israelis do this, not only will they be here in the US, but they will get a ride to various cities around the country free of charge, an $800 EBT for vacation money, drivers license, housing, food. Plenty of health care should the need arise..."...

"13 posted on 7/30/2014, 3:20:41 PM by C210N (When people fear government there is tyranny; when government fears people there is liberty) " 



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