The Aliyah and Integration Ministry, in conjunction with the Finance Ministry, will propose a new emergency plan for the absorption of Russian olim. The plan is headed by Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman and Aliyah and Integration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata, and awaits approval from the cabinet.
Due to recent developments in Russia, tens of thousands of aliyah candidates are expected to arrive in Israel in the upcoming months. According to the proposal, until an individual’s eligibility to the Law of Return is clarified, they will receive the rights that all immigrants are given, including an absorption package and subsistence allowance.
This proposal is based on the previous waves of aliyah from Ukraine, during which it was proven that an absolute majority (over 90%) were found to be eligible.
What will be a part of the program's package?
In addition, it is expected to provide a holistic response in a variety of areas, including housing solutions, integration into employment, health, education and more.
The Finance Ministry will immediately provide NIS 90 million for the proposal, and it will monitor the developments and allocate additional resources as needed.
“The State of Israel is a safe and protected home for all the Jews of the world, as well as for the Jews of Russia,” Tamano-Shata said. “We will make sure that all olim from Russia who immigrates under these complex circumstances will receive the holistic package that is appropriate for optimal integration into Israeli society. I congratulate Liberman for the cooperation and promotion of the program.”
Liberman added, “The State of Israel is making every effort to bring as many immigrants to Israel as possible.” He said that the Finance Ministry “will not spare any resources to enable the immigration to Israel of all eligible people who want it and will invest in a high-quality and efficient absorption process.”
Liberman is the chairman of the Yisrael Beytenu party, whose main constituents are olim from Russian-speaking countries. Up until recently, Liberman hasn’t been very vocal about the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The main problem with bringing masses of olim from Russia is that there are only 7 flights a week from Israel to Moscow and from Moscow to Israel. “Without Prime Minister Yair Lapid approaching Russian President Putin and asking for special permission to bring more flights - nothing will change,” an official from the Jewish Agency told The Jerusalem Post.
The main problem with bringing masses of olim from Russia is that there are only seven flights a week from Israel to Moscow and from Moscow to Israel. “Without Prime Minister Yair Lapid approaching Russian President [Vladimir] Putin and asking for special permission to bring more flights, nothing will change,” an official from the Jewish Agency told The Jerusalem Post.