The Jewish Agency has launched an 'Aliyah Express' program to expedite the immigration process for Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion and moving to Israel.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
So far, 4,000 refugees eligible to make aliyah in accordance with the Law of Return have immigrated to Israel, and 4,500 more will soon join them. That number is expected to increase significantly as the situation in Ukraine worsens.
Launched in anticipation of a massive wave of aliyah from Ukraine, the Aliyah Express program has significantly reduced the timeline for aliyah eligibility checks. Assistance from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, private donors, and foundations, means new immigrants will be able to board flights to Israel faster.
The Jewish Agency has also been recruiting dozens of employees to help the Aliyah and Integration Ministry house new immigrants in hotels upon their arrival, as well as working with an emergency program to enroll young Ukrainians in the Masa Israel Journey program.
Following a request from the Israeli government, the Jewish Agency will also help the Israeli government establish a situation room to coordinate the work being done by organizations on the ground in the region.
At the onset of the conflict, the Jewish Agency launched humanitarian and rescue operations in Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Moldova. The agency has housed over 8,000 refugees to date. The Jewish Agency has rented over 7,000 beds in facilities along the border for those fleeing the war, and plans to improve on that number by opening additional facilities in Romania as well as renting a stadium in Bulgaria.
"The Jewish Agency continues to be at the forefront of aliyah mobilization efforts, in particular when it comes to Ukrainian refugees," said Yaakov Hagoel, acting chairman of The Jewish Agency and chairman of the World Zionist Organization.
"Combining our organization's forces with other formidable bodies that facilitate aliyah will help resolve this emergency crisis facing Ukrainian Jewry. Now, they can be rescued and absorbed much faster so they can settle into their new home in Israel."
"Seeing the Jewish world come together the way it has on behalf of Ukrainian Jewry is truly amazing. Our operations are made possible by donations of tens of millions of dollars from the Jewish Federations of North America, Keren Hayesod, and friends of Israel from around the world," Jewish Agency Director-General Amira Ahronoviz said.
"The Jewish Agency continues to be committed to rescuing every Jew from anywhere in the world and in addition to our work in Ukraine, we're also implementing the government's decision to resume Operation Tzur Israel, which will soon bring 3,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel. As such, we've expanded our operations in Ethiopia and are preparing for their arrival in absorption centers across the country. Rescuing Jews of Ukraine and Ethiopia are part of the moral duty and mission of our organization," Ahronoviz said.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
