Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today traveled to Jerusalem where she met with Israeli President Shimon Peres and other Israeli officials to discuss security-related issues, and signed a Joint Statement on the implementation of the Global Entry trusted traveler program for Israeli citizens with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

“This agreement is part of the United States’ strong and enduring partnership with Israel, dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of both our countries,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Global Entry will expedite the customs and security process for trusted Israeli air travelers arriving in the United States, while maintaining the highest standards of security.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Global Entry program allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk international travelers arriving at U.S. airports, focusing resources on individuals whom we know the least about, while facilitating the flow of lawful people and goods entering the United States. Over the last three years, Global Entry kiosks have been deployed to 25 airports in the United States and seven Pre-Clearance locations in Canada. With nearly 330,000 trusted travelers enrolled directly into Global Entry and more than one million trusted travelers eligible for Global Entry benefits, travelers have used this expedited processing more than 2.3 million times. Travelers who participate in the Global Entry program experience reduced average wait times of 70 percent over travelers going through traditional passport inspection, and more than 75 percent of Global Entry members are processed in under five minutes.

While in Jerusalem, Secretary Napolitano also met with Minister of the Interior Eli Yishai, Minister of Public Security Yitzhak Aharonovich, Israel National Police Commissioner Yochanan Danino and Director of the National Cyber Bureau Dr. Eviatar Matania.

Secretary Napolitano will deliver remarks tomorrow on the Department’s collaboration with international partners to combat terrorism, and facilitate trade and travel at Israel’s International Institute for Counter-Terrorism, and meet with additional counterparts. Secretary Napolitano will then travel to Jordan on May 22-23 where she will deliver remarks on women in security at the Columbia University Middle East Research Center and meet with King Abdullah II, Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh and additional Jordanian ministers.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)