CHICAGO: The founder of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation has accused Israel of violating the Visa Waiver Program that it signed with the US in 2023.
Rateb Rabie told Arab News that he was leading a delegation of nine US citizens under a non-political, non-profit program called “Know Thy Heritage” — which takes Arab Americans to the countries of their parents’ origins to understand their cultural backgrounds — when Israel denied them entry on June 28.
He urged US officials to protest the violation of the VWP, adding: “What our delegation experienced at the border wasn’t an isolated incident — it reflects a deeper, systemic pattern of discriminatory treatment toward Palestinian Americans.
“The blanket denial of entry, issued without explanation or due process, violates not only our basic human rights but also the commitments Israel made under the VWP.
“This program was built on the principle of reciprocity. These actions demonstrate a clear breach of that principle.”
