Israel Police sending delegation to Poland to assist refugees fleeing Ukraine
Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking officers will also be sent to Israel’s main airport to direct arriving refugees; National Police Academy to host some 100 Ukrainians
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Israel announced Thursday that it will send a delegation of 15 Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking police officers to Poland to assist refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine to come to Israel.
The delegation will be stationed at Ukraine’s border for at least two weeks, according to an Israel Police statement.
They will be providing first-aid, helping coordinate between various organizations, transportation, and assisting refugees to get on flights to Israel with the Foreign Ministry, the statement said.
Police are also sending Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking officers and volunteers to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv to help direct arriving refugees.
The announcement comes amid a number of reports of refugees unable to communicate with authorities at Ben Gurion Airport, as some face deportation for failing to meet the entry requirements.
Additionally, police will reserve rooms at the National Police Academy to host some 100 refugees. “Police will provide them with accommodation in hotel-level conditions, take care of their needs and embrace them while their country is at war,” the statement said.
“Our goal is to ensure that civilians leaving the war zone in Ukraine arrive at the country safely, with minimal bureaucracy… and of course to allow them a comfortable and safe stay in Israel,” Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai said.
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