STEP ONE: SIGN THE PETITION
After signing, you will be taken to the page to contact Congress.

Call for an Investigation, Accountability,
and Review of Israel's Treatment of U.S. Citizens
SEEK ACCOUNTABILITY BY ADDING YOUR VOICE TO THIS STATEMENT: Fill out the form below

Introduction
We, the undersigned members of an American interfaith delegation, respectfully request that the United States Government investigate the denial of entry to members of our delegation at the Jordan River crossing on Thursday August 13th 2026 and review Israel's compliance with its commitments regarding the treatment of U.S. citizens under the U.S.-Israel Visa Waiver Program.

Our Delegation
All thirteen members of our delegation are U.S. citizens representing a diverse interfaith community, including Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and individuals from a variety of ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds.

We traveled to the Holy Land on a study and learning tour to visit holy sites, engage with local communities, learn about the region's religious and historical significance, and explore Palestinian liberation theology and its perspectives on faith, justice, peace, reconciliation, and nonviolence. The learning tour was organized in the USA by The Rev. Dr. L. Edward Phillips and The Rev. Sara Webb Phillips, United Methodist Clergy, and the local arrangements were made by Sabeel, a Christian grassroots ecumenical organization that has been registered in Israel since 1998.

Denial of Entry
Of the thirteen participants:

• Nine had obtained Israeli visas, then got their visas confiscated after border control agents went into the Israeli welcome area and asked them to go back to the border control.

• All had received approved ETA-IL travel authorizations before purchasing their flights.

• All complied with known travel and entry requirements.

• Despite these authorizations, none were permitted to enter. The decision disrupted our educational and religious program and caused significant financial losses and distress.

Request for Investigation
We respectfully request an independent and transparent investigation into this incident, including:

1. The legal and factual basis for each denial of entry.

2. Why visa holders were later denied entry and the legality of this action.

3. Why travelers with approved ETA-IL authorizations were denied entry.

4. Whether the decisions were based on clear and consistently applied criteria.

5. Whether identity, ethnicity, religion, Arab background, political views, or theological beliefs influenced the decisions.

6. Whether participation in a program concerning Palestinian Christian experiences and liberation theology influenced the decisions.

7. Whether Israeli authorities acted consistently with obligations regarding reciprocal and non-discriminatory treatment of U.S. citizens.

8. Whether similar incidents indicate a broader pattern.

Accountability and Remedy
If wrongdoing is established, we request appropriate accountability and mechanisms for affected citizens to seek reimbursement or compensation for documented losses. At minimum, affected individuals should receive a clear explanation of the reasons for denial and a meaningful opportunity to challenge inaccurate or improper decisions.

Freedom of Religion and Access to the Holy Land
We affirm that access to the Holy Land and its sacred sites should be available without discrimination based on ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, or peaceful political and theological beliefs. We further affirm the importance of access for those engaged in interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, education, reconciliation, and human rights work.

Review of the Visa Waiver Program
We request that the U.S. Government review Israel's compliance with commitments associated with participation in the Visa Waiver Program, including:

• Treatment of U.S. citizens at border crossings.

• Equal treatment of U.S. citizens regardless of ethnicity, religion, background, or peaceful expression.

• Investigation of reported cases involving diverse groups of U.S. citizens.

• Stronger reporting and transparency mechanisms regarding denials of entry.

• Assessment of continued compliance with Visa Waiver Program requirements.

Our Appeal
We came to the Holy Land to learn, listen, pray, meet people, share stories, and deepen our understanding of the communities living there. We are not seeking special treatment; we seek equal treatment, transparency, accountability, and respect for the rights and dignity of U.S. citizens.

We the undersigned, respectfully request that the United States Government investigate these incidents, provide remedies where appropriate, and ensure that commitments associated with the Visa Waiver Program are upheld in practice.

As people of faith and conscience, we believe that every person should be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. We also believe that agreements between nations carry responsibilities—not only between governments, but toward the people whose rights and freedoms depend upon those commitments.

Signed in support of the affected delegation members and their supporters:

 

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