Israelis To Coast Through US Security - and Vice Versa

Frequent travelers to the US from Israel – and vice versa - will soon have a smoother time making the landing, thanks to Israel’s entry into the US Global Entry Program.

In a letter of intent signed by Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman and US Secretary for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Israel and the US entered into an agreement whereby participants may enter the United States via automated kiosks at select airports, rather than standing on line to be checked by border authorities.

Britain, Holland, Austria, New Zealand, Japan and Qatar already participate in the program.  Participants will pay a $100 fee and undergo a security check.  Upon approval, they will simply have to swipe a finger through a biometric identification machine on arrival in order to pass through into the United States.

Israel will also set up a special border control line for US visitors who go through their own application process for the system at Ben Gurion Airport.