The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, denounces Israel’s barring a delegation of travelers from the U.S. from entering Israel on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Six of the nine travelers are U.S. citizens. One citizen, a native of New Jersey, was told she could not enter due to her family’s roots in Gaza. CAIR-NJ is calling on the U.S. State Department to enforce reciprocity requirements of the U.S. Visa Waiver program, enabling them to enter Israel.
Leading experts and Congressional leaders have been cautioning against admitting Israel into the program. Even President Barack Obama declined to admit Israel during his time in office given the high rate of denials of U.S. citizens with Palestinian heritage at Israel’s ports of entry.
READ: Israel is Unlikely to Respect US Visa Waiver Program Requirements
Sir Rateb Rabie, President of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF), a non-profit dedicated to the well-being of Arab Christians in Israel and the occupied territories, was leading a group of American and international delegates to Israel on a mission to learn and connect with residents on the ground. They were attempting to enter Israel at the King Hussein/Allenby bridge from Jordan when they were interrogated for hours and subsequently turned away, despite having valid Electronic Travel Authorizations.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter said:
“Many advocates and government leaders, including former President Barack Obama during his time in office, opposed Israel’s entering the U.S. Visa Waiver program because of its history of discrimination against Palestinian Americans at its borders. The refusal to admit Sir Rateb’s delegation highlights one instance of Israeli authorities’ tactics to refuse Palestinian Americans’ entry.”
Rateb Rabie, Delegation Leader and President/CEO of the Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) “What happened today is not only unjust—it is a violation of basic human rights and a breach of the reciprocity commitments Israel made under the Visa Waiver Program. Our delegation followed every required procedure, yet we were met with intimidation, humiliation, and an unexplained denial of entry. Despite this painful experience, our commitment to our people and our mission remains stronger than ever.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238