WASHINGTON : Israel-Only Passport System Is Halted
The State Department will no longer issue Israel-only passports for diplomatic and official travel under a law co-authored by Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City) that went into effect this week.
Berman and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N. J.) had contended that the practice of issuing two passports--including one for “Israel-only” travel--represented acquiescence by the U. S. government in the Arab boycott of Israel. Arab countries deny entry to travelers carrying passports with Israeli entry stamps or visas.
Berman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on international operations, said in a news release: “From now on, Arab countries will have to choose between placing visas in passports with Israeli admission stamps or refusing entry to U. S. officials and travelers.
“Those countries that continue to participate in this boycott will learn that there is a price to be paid for their behavior.”
Berman and Lautenberg introduced their legislation last year after Lautenberg was denied a visa by the Saudi government because of an Israeli stamp in his diplomatic passport.
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