Diaspora Jews allowed in Israel for relatives’ bar-mitzvas, weddings
The exception is only for parents who have given birth in the past month, or are expected to give birth in the coming month - "a month before, and a month after your expected delivery."
By ROSSELLA TERCATIN, ZACHARY KEYSER, LEON SVERDLOVUpdated: JULY 15, 2020 07:59Nanit's smart baby monitor(photo credit: NANIT)
New regulations announced on Monday by the Population and Immigration Authority significantly expand the circumstances under which noncitizens can enter Israel to attend a life-cycle event of a loved one, including weddings, births and bar and bat mitzvahs.Israel’s borders have been closed to foreigners for months in an effort to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Until now, only immediate family members of a deceased relative could enter the country to attend the burial or only first-degree relatives and grandparents of people getting married could attend the wedding.As reported by the Hebrew newspaper Makor Rishon, with the new guidelines, the relatives’ spouses and children who are under the age of one are also included in the list. The foreign spouse-to-be of an Israeli citizen or permanent resident, as well as his or her immediate family, will also be allowed to enter.In addition, immediate relatives, their spouses and children, as well as grandparents, are going to be able to attend bar and bat mitzvahs of Israeli citizens. Parents of Israeli citizens who are expected to give birth within a month or who gave birth in the previous month will also be allowed to enter the country.The announcement of the new measures regarding births was anticipated in the morning by MK Michal Cotler-Wunsh (Blue and White).“Expecting mom and dad olim [new immigrants to Israel], this [message] is for you,” Cotler-Wunsh, who grew up in Canada, said in a Facebook video. “The Immigration Authority has reviewed the criteria and has changed it, so that all of your parents can come and be with you, when you have those incredible babies that you will deliver.”All those who wish to travel to Israel under these special circumstances still need to apply for a special permit at the local Israeli Consulate and must commit to quarantine for 14 days in a suitable place. They will not be allowed to leave the country before the end of the isolation period.Moreover, according to Makor Rishon, they will need to show proof of medical insurance, including coverage for COVID-19. Without the permit, they will not be allowed to board the plane.At the moment, the ban on entry of foreigners into Israel is scheduled to last until August 1.
