Former Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, who initiated the process of visa exemption for Israelis in the United States, commends the completion of the process and takes a swipe at the current government.
In an interview with Galei Tzahal (IDF Radio), Shaked stated, "We set up the mechanism and solved almost everything, but the current government did not agree to help us. I am glad that after they came into power, they passed the legislation."
Shaked explained the significance of the move, saying, "Anyone who has already obtained a visa to the United States will not need to fill out the ESTA form, and they will be able to enter the United States without going through this new shortened process. Their visa will remain valid."
Regarding the expected normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Shaked commented, "It is clear to anyone with common sense that there would have been a world war by Netanyahu against the agreement with Saudi Arabia if Bennett had brought it."