Israel, a country with a rich history and diverse culture, has become a temporary refuge for many Ukrainian refugees fleeing the horrors of war. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, thousands of Ukrainians have found refuge in this Mediterranean country. Israel provides Ukrainian citizens with the opportunity to work and receive medical care, but at the same time they face numerous challenges.
As of 2024, there are about 12-13 thousand Ukrainian refugees in Israel. According to the Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk, there were no requests from Ukrainians to evacuate the country. At the beginning of the war, the number of our citizens who sought temporary shelter reached 20-25 thousand. However, the situation was changing, and now the majority of Ukrainians remained in Israel.
Aid received by Ukrainian refugees
Despite the fact that Israel does not grant Ukrainian refugees full refugee status, which involves receiving housing and financial assistance from the state, they still receive significant support.
- Extension of tourist visas. The Embassy of Ukraine in Israel has reached an agreement with the Israeli authorities regarding the extension of tourist visas for Ukrainians. This allows them to be in the country legally without risking deportation and avoids additional problems with documents.
- The right to employment. Ukrainian refugees received a work permit, which is an important factor for their financial support. This allows them to support themselves and their families. Most of them are employed in various spheres of the economy, from agriculture to service and the IT sector.
- Medical insurance. Israel provides health insurance for a certain category of elderly citizens. This insurance is paid by the Israeli government and allows you to receive the necessary medical care without significant costs. Israel’s medical system is known for its high level of service, which is a big plus for Ukrainian refugees.
- Support from relatives and friends. Many Ukrainian refugees have relatives or close friends in Israel, which makes their stay in the new country much easier. These connections help them adapt to new living conditions, find housing and work, and also get the necessary emotional support.
- Evacuation measures. After the major terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, the Embassy of Ukraine organized the evacuation of citizens. Then the situation was critical, and evacuation was carried out with the help of charter flights, the cost of which for Ukrainians was significantly reduced. The price of tickets was 300-350 euros, which was much lower than the market price. So far, there have been no requests for evacuation from Ukrainians.
Challenges faced by Ukrainian refugees
Despite the help, Ukrainian refugees face numerous challenges in Israel:
- Lack of full refugee status. Israel does not grant Ukrainian refugees a status that would include financial assistance and housing. This forces them to look for housing on their own and rely on their own financial resources or help from relatives and friends.
- Financial difficulties. Despite the work permit, not all Ukrainian refugees can find a stable and well-paid job. This is especially true for older people, who cannot always find work due to their health or language barriers.
- Psychological stress. War, flight from one’s home country and adaptation to a new environment are often accompanied by significant psychological stress. Many refugees need psychological support to cope with the trauma of war and to adapt to new living conditions.
It will be recalled that Israel takes a neutral position regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, supporting the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but not providing direct military assistance. At the beginning of the full-scale war, Ukraine offered Israel to act as a mediator in the negotiation process, but the Israeli authorities did not give official consent to this.
Since October 2023, Israel has been under attack by Hamas militants and has focused on a military operation in the Gaza Strip. This changed the priorities of the Israeli authorities and focused attention on the country’s internal security.
Ambassador of Ukraine to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk made the following statement today during briefing:
“It is not advisable to plan a trip to Israel now, based not only on security issues, but also because of the complexity of the situation, since most foreign airlines have refused to fly. This is due to insurances that not everyone can buy for themselves. That is, it makes flights more expensive.”
He also advised Ukrainians who are currently in Israel and cannot fly out, to buy tickets of Israeli airlines: El Al, Israir and other low-cost airlines that fly smoothly and have no problems with flights.
