Israel's government decided on Sunday to issue national identity cards to new olim, or immigrants, at its main airport in a move to reduce crowds and wait times.
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Starting in June, new immigrants arriving in Israel will receive ID cards at Ben-Gurion Airport through a branch office of the Aliyah and Integration Ministry.
This will eliminate the need for immigrants to go through the difficult process of scheduling an appointment at the Interior Ministry.
"We are doing the best of our ability to balance the needs of the population with what the Interior Ministry is able to offer. I congratulate my friend, Aliyah and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer, for his partnership and commitment to new olim," Interior Minister Moshe Arbel said in a statement.
Sofer said, "Immediate issuance of identity cards will allow the new olim to start leading a proper lifestyle in Israel. This is great news for aliyah, and I pledge to do whatever possible to help olim become more comfortable in Israel."
The ministers also agreed that they will work together so that the ID cards issued to new olim by the Aliyah and Integration Ministry and Integration will be biometric identity cards, which until now are only issued at Interior Ministry offices.
Reprinted with permission from JNS.org.
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