From the outbreak of the Ukraine war to Sunday morning, some 6,500 Ukrainian citizens not entitled to make aliyah under the Law of Return have entered Israel, according to data from organizations bringing new immigrants to Israel and the Aliyah and Integration Ministry, as well as the Interior Ministry.
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Aliyah officials said behind closed doors that planes carrying Ukrainians were en route to Israel from Belgium and other countries after Israel announced its new refugee policy.
According to professional assessments, Israel's new policy will open the door for a wave of Ukrainians who will try to enter Israel, even if they do not have family or friends here. On Monday, a number of Ukrainian nationals who previously tried to enter Israel on fictitious grounds landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport, and were deported at the time. In one case, Tel Aviv District Court Judge Michal Gonen-Agmon ruled that despite the person's "problematic history," they could not be denied entry at this time and should be allowed to enter and remain in Israel.
Immigration officials think that the moment Israel announced its new refugee policy, word made its way to Ukrainians throughout Europe, who will take advantage of the situation.
Meanwhile, Israel Hayom has learned that there has also been a jump in the number of Russian citizens arriving since the beginning of the war. According to immigration data, 6,126 Russian residents have arrived in Israel in the past two weeks, and only 138 were refused entry. This comprises twice the number of Russian citizens who arrived in January-February 2022.
Aliyah documents were issued to 1,300 of the Russian arrivals, and they entered Israel with the status of new immigrants. The rest came in as tourists, and officials think that some 70% will apply for new immigrant status.
High-ranking government officials told Israel Hayom that if the Ukraine war continues, causing conditions in Russia to worsen, the country should prepare to grapple with a large wave of refugees not entitled to Israeli citizenship.
"We cannot make immigration policy that discriminates between Russia and Ukraine. This would have diplomatic ramifications," a government official explained.
According to immigration figures, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 8,500 Ukrainians have traveled to Israel, 253 of whom were refused entry.
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