Прочитайте цю інформацію українською та російською мовами
UNHCR is dedicated to assisting the refugees from the Ukraine conflict in Israel and around the world. Updated statistics for the numbers of refugees from Ukraine and the latest press releases are available from UNHCR’s Data Portal on the Ukraine Refugee Situation.
Refugees can access information from the UNHCR Help sites in the countries where they are currently located.
Information is also available on the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel Facebook page.
Pictured: UNHCR staff speak with Ukrainian refugees on bus from Slovenia to Italy on March 3, 2022. (All photos © UNHCR)
Прочитайте цю інформацію українською та російською мовами
Information for Ukrainians in Israel
The Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, in cooperation with JDC and Magen David Adom, will operate a center coordinate needs of Ukrainian refugees at the number *5130. The hotline will operate on Sundays-Thursdays between the hours of 8:00-18:00, and on Fridays between 8:00-15:00. The response will be provided in three languages - Russian, Ukrainian and Hebrew.
- Can Ukrainians who are unable to return home in the present circumstances register with UNHCR in Israel to obtain refugee status? Can UNHCR provide them with refugee documentation?
Registration and documentation of asylum-seekers in Israel is the responsibility of the Government. This is carried out by the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA), which is part of the Ministry of Interior. For details, please see PIBA’s website.
From the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, the Government has announced that all Ukrainians present in Israel without a visa will be allowed to remain in the country for a three-month period, with a possibility of extension if the security situation in Ukraine remains unchanged. According to the authorities, Ukrainians do not need to apply for asylum to be able to remain in Israel under this new policy. The government’s initial decision can be found here and further decisions can be accessed here (Hebrew).
2. Where can I access health services?
The Ministry of Health has announced that any Ukrainians in Israel who have arrived as a result of the current conflict can access free medical care at the Terem clinics across Israel. Terem is a network of urgent care clinics with locations across the country. More information about Terem, including locations, services, and online appointments, is available on the Terem website.
3. Does the new Government policy allow Ukrainians to legally work while they remain in Israel?
As far as UNHCR is aware, the policy does not grant employment rights to Ukrainians who entered Israel on a tourist visa whether before or after the current conflict started in their country. However, the Government has indicated in its latest announcement that their employment may be allowed if the situation in Ukraine does not improve by the time the three-month stay permit is reviewed.
4. Will asylum seeker children be able to attend school in Israel?
Israeli law provides that all children are entitled to attend school, regardless of their legal or migration status. Enrolment and placement of children in schools is done through local Municipalities in the town or city where you live.
5. Does the policy allow for reunification of family members left behind in Ukraine or in neighbouring countries?
UNHCR understands and appreciates the concerns Ukrainians in Israel have for the safety and welfare of their family members who remain in Ukraine or have fled to neighbouring countries. Prolonged separation from loved ones is one of the biggest traumas involved in forced displacement. The policy announced by the Government did not specifically include the issue of family reunification, but UNHCR hopes that the authorities would take a pragmatic and flexible approach depending on the length of stay and the particular circumstances of each case.
6. Is UNHCR able to resettle Ukrainian asylum-seekers from Israel to other western countries?
Resettlement is the transfer of refugees from an asylum country to another State that has agreed to admit them and ultimately grant them permanent settlement. UNHCR in Israel has no resettlement quotas or places for Ukrainian refugees. It is the authorities of the third country who make the decision as to whether or not to accept a refugee for resettlement. UNHCR has no decision-making authority on resettlement cases. Each country has its own regulations and procedures in respect to the resettlement of refugees. Ukrainian asylum-seekers in Israel who have relatives in third countries may wish to check the relevant website of the country where their relatives are residing to find out if there are procedures or pathways for relocation to that country.
Some countries may have dedicated programmes for Ukrainian refugees. For example, Canada has announced a special measures for people affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Immigration measures for people affected by the situation in Ukraine – Canada.ca
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Warning against “refugee visa” fraud
Bogus organizations are using internet chat groups and fake websites to promise resettlement and employment opportunities in Europe and North America for a fee. There are fake visa and migration companies targeting refugees and offering to “secure” them immigration through local embassies in return for considerable fees. These are all scams. Some of these fraudsters are also claiming affiliation to UNHCR. UNHCR never charges for any services it provides to refugees, asylum-seekers or other persons of concern to the organization.
Download a PDF of these Questions and Answers for the Ukrainians in Israel
Assistance for Ukrainians in Israel
The Government policy granting Ukrainians a three-month stay in Israel does not specify provisions for social benefits or access to the national health insurance scheme (Bituach Leumi), but these issues are still under discussion. In the meantime Ukrainians may contact any of the following organizations that assist asylum-seekers in Israel in different ways:
Health
The Ministry of Health has announced that any Ukrainians in Israel who have arrived as a result of the current conflict can access free medical care at the Terem clinics across Israel. Terem is a network of urgent care clinics with locations across the country. More information about Terem, including locations, services, and online appointments, is available on the Terem website.
Legal assistance
Phone: 03 6911322
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp for text or voice messages at 054 6270898
Address: 8 HaTzifra Street, Tel Aviv
Reception Hours: Tuesday 9.00 to 12.00 and from 13.00 to 17.00
Employment
Phone: 03-6883766
Questions can be sent via Facebook to Kav L’Oved Refugees or Kav L’Oved Russian
Material assistance, social counselling, schooling
- Tel Aviv Municipality: Details are at the following link in various languages. Campaign to Support Ukrainian Refugees
- Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum-seekers in Israel ( ASSAF)
Sundays and Tuesdays at 15:30-19:30
The registration for the open hours is done by setting appointments through phone: 055-6650022
The registration for Sunday is at 10:00-11:00
The registration for Tuesday is at 10:00-11:00
Address: 52 Golomb St, Tel Aviv
Reception:
Sunday and Tuesday 15:00-18:00
Monday and Wednesday 09:00 – 12:00
Address: 66 Wolfson St. Tel Aviv
Asylum seekers can also contact the Welfare Department of their local municipality in the town or city where they reside.
Healthcare
Reception hours:
Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 3PM
4 Baruch Sapir St., Jaffa,
Tel: 0549169924 / 035133124
The Israeli government has indicated that, for now, Ukrainian asylum seekers entering due to the conflict in Ukraine will not have access to the Israeli national health insurance scheme (Bituach Leumi).
Local Information
All of the latest information about Israel’s policy towards Ukrainian citizens from the Population and Immigration Authority is available on their website in Hebrew and Ukrainian.
On February 27, the Population and Immigration Authority made the following announcement:
“The Population and Immigration Authority is honored to inform the Ukrainian citizens currently residing in Israel that due to the conflict in Ukraine and concern over their safety and security, there will be no enforcement or expulsion measures against Ukrainian citizens residing in Israel illegally until the current situation in their country is clarified.
Accordingly, we would like to emphasize that there is no need to submit an individual asylum application because of the current conflict, and this policy will also apply to those who have not applied for asylum.”
“Управління реєстрації населення та імміграції має честь повідомити громадян України, які перебувають в Ізраїлі, що по причині воєнних дій в Україні та у світлі турботи про їх здоров’я та небезпеку, правоохоронні дії та дії по депортації проти громадян в України, які перебувають в Ізраїлі нелегально, здійснюватися не будуть до прояснення стану в їх країні.
Тому підкреслюємо, що на даний час немає необхідності звертатися с особистою заявою на притулок внаслідок воєнних дій в Україні.
Вказана політика буде розповсюджуватися також на осіб, які не подавали заяву на політичний притулок.”
The announcement in Hebrew is available here.
Information is also available for Ukrainians on the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel’s Facebook page.
Donations
The Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, in cooperation with the Center for Local Government and the Jewish Agency, is launching a campaign to collect donations for Ukrainian refugees.
The refugees, largely concentrated in neighboring countries are facing a multitude of challenges including physical and mental hardships, deprivation, stress, harsh weather conditions, war, and more.
The campaign aims to help this population by collecting vital donations and getting them to Ukrainian refugees as soon as possible.
For more information about needs and drop off spots please click here.
