The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Immigration Absorption Ministry on Sunday issued comprehensive emergency procedures for the immigration, absorption, and accompaniment of immigrants from the moment they land in Israel and are required to comply with the Israeli Health Ministry's instructions with respect to the global coronavirus pandemic.
Due to the shuttering of community institutions and educational installations in North America, the Jewish Agency has decided to recall its gap-year Israeli emissaries to Israel for the Passover holiday. All other emissaries will continue in their mission.
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A special Jewish Agency Situation Room will operate 24-hours a day – to keep in close contact with the Jewish communities, provide solutions to developing situations and provide immediate assistance to immigrants.
Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog said, "Now is the time for mutual responsibility and social solidarity in Israel, among the Jewish people and throughout the entire world. We will take action to assist the Jewish communities around the world and to operate technological means and special programs in order to continue our ongoing activities in regions where it is not possible to work in the field."
The Jewish Agency said that immigration to Israel is continuing at a controlled and limited scale and that it is implementing special comprehensive emergency procedures for bringing new immigrants to Israel during the upcoming period so as to safely absorb them in Israel, in full compliance with the relevant authorities in Israel.
According to the procedures, every immigrant arriving for direct absorption will be required to sign a commitment – prior to immigrating – regarding the location where he/she will remain in quarantine immediately upon arrival in Israel and a commitment to comply with the Health Ministry's procedures. The procedure also states that, during the 14 days of immigrants' quarantine, Jewish Agency professionals, along with Immigration Absorption Ministry personnel will continue accompanying the new immigrants, mainly via remote communications, in order to assist them to the extent needed and to supply all of the new immigrants' needs.
Under the new procedure, a special Jewish Agency Immigration Hotline will operate in Jerusalem, which is linked to dozens of locations worldwide where The Jewish Agency operates. The hotline is staffed by multilingual professionals who provide guidance and assistance to every immigrant, even before arrival in Israel, in full compliance with the Israeli Ministry of Health's instructions.
In response to the coronavirus crisis, The Jewish Agency is operating a Global Situation Room, 24-hours a day, led by the CEO Amira Ahronoviz, and by the Chief Operating Officer Yehuda Setton. Both are working intensely on all of The Jewish Agency's preparations during this emergency period and are reporting directly to the Chairman of the Executive, Isaac Herzog.
The Jewish Agency's Situation Room is maintaining close contact with Jewish communities throughout the world on formulating ways to contend with any upcoming crises and is providing immediate solutions to arising needs pertaining to The Jewish Agency's widespread activities in Israel and around the world.
Due to the closures of schools and other educational facilities in the Jewish communities in North America, The Jewish Agency, in coordination with its partners, has decided to recall its gap-year Israeli emissaries in North America to Israel for the Passover holiday, since their activities, particularly within these educational institutions, are based on interpersonal get-togethers which are currently suspended.
Herzog instructed the Jewish Agency's emissaries stationed in dozens of countries throughout the world to continue performing their missions under the restrictions posed by the new situation, to comply with the local authorities' instructions, and to find creative ways to connect with their communities and support them, even when direct meetings are not always possible.
"Now is the time for mutual responsibility and social solidarity in Israel, among the Jewish people and throughout the entire world. We will take action to assist the Jewish communities around the world and to operate technological means in order to continue our ongoing activities in regions where it is not possible to work in the field," said Herzog.
"Our prime concern is the wellbeing of the public in Israel and internationally, and it is our duty to assure the wellbeing and health of every Jewish Agency employee, including our Israeli emissaries stationed around the world, participants in our programs across the globe and in Israel, and the new immigrants making their new home in Israel."
