Israel Delays Decision on Ukrainian Refugees: Thousands Risk Deportation.

According to ТСН: While European countries and the USA continue their protection programs for Ukrainians, Israel has not yet taken steps to prevent the deportation of refugees. Tens of thousands of Ukrainians may face the risk of losing their legal status due to delays by the Israeli authorities.

Israel Against International Practices

A mass deportation could become a reality due to the delay in making a decision regarding the extension of the so-called "group protection" established after the Russian invasion in 2022. At that time, the Minister of Internal Affairs Ayelet Shaked allowed for the stay of 25,000 Ukrainians.

Currently, residence and work permits need to be renewed annually, and the legal status expires next month. However, no decision has yet been made. With no Minister of Internal Affairs in Israel, all responsibilities regarding this matter have fallen on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Against the backdrop of actions taken by other countries, the situation looks contrasting:

• EU — protection extended until March 2027;

• USA — until October 2026;

• UK — protection extended for two more years.

“We Have Nothing Left”

The publication also tells the story of a Ukrainian woman named Anna (name changed), who lives in Beer Sheva with her two children. The woman works, the children attend local school, but the uncertainty is destroying their lives.

“The main feeling is fear of the future. We, the refugees, constantly discuss whether we can be deported at the end of the year,” shares Anna.

Anna notes that employers require her to provide guarantees of staying in the country, while the children ask if they will be able to attend school the next day. Many have nowhere to return to: their homes are destroyed, their savings are exhausted, and there is war back home.

Government Reaction

Human rights organizations have already appealed to the government with a request to extend the protection. The petition states that leaving women and children under tourist status (without rights to normal work and social protection) forces them to "struggle for survival".

Despite the fact that three official letters were sent last month, they have yet to receive a response. The Population and Immigration Authority only stated that the issue "is currently under consideration".

It should also be noted that Latvia has started cutting financial support for Ukrainian refugees, explaining this by the successful integration of Ukrainians into the labor market.

This situation highlights the contrast in approaches to supporting refugees from Ukraine in different countries. The international community continues to take steps to improve the living conditions of Ukrainians, while the Israeli policy raises concerns among refugees who find themselves in a difficult situation. The lack of a resolution regarding the extension of group protection threatens the lives of many families who have already faced many difficulties due to the war. The question of the legal status of Ukrainian refugees in Israel remains urgent and requires immediate action from the authorities.