Israel Matzav

'Most pro-Israel administration evah' systematically bars Shin Bet and Mossad agents, IDF representatives and defense industry execs from visiting US

In an earlier post, I reported that the 'most pro-Israel administration evah' has presided over an 80% increase in the rate of visa denials for Israelis traveling to the United States. Maariv on Tuesday reports on some of those being denied visas. Maariv reports (link in Hebrew) that the US has been systematically denying visas to Shin Bet (General Security Service) and Mossad agents, to representatives of the IDF and to executives of companies in Israel's defense industry. The denials have an economic cost to the United States, as Israel's defense industries do not place orders for American products unless they are able to travel to the United States to see them.

Neither government has commented on the report, but the defense industry has been discussing behind closed doors tens of instances in which visas to travel to the United States were denied.

In addition to the denials, many visas have been limited to three months once the applicant's workplace was disclosed.

Additionally, the IDF's representatives in the US (who usually work on defense procurement) have been given visas for one year, and then have to leave to Canada for weeks on end to await visa extensions.

Behind closed doors, Israeli defense officials reject the possibility that the denials are connected to Defense Minister Yaalon's sharp comments about US Secretary of State John FN Kerry. However, they believe that they may be connected to an attempt to prevent Israel's defense industries from competing effectively with US defense industries.

The US embassy in Tel Aviv would not comment, but they did say that each visa request is examined individually.

Part of the story is summarized in English here.

In other news, two weeks ago, President Obama unilaterally eased the requirements for foreign terrorists seeking to immigrate to the United States.

Labels: defense spending, IDF, John Kerry, Moshe Yaalon, Mossad, Shin Bet, travel visas, US embassy in Tel Aviv

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:05 PM