Cabinet meeting exposes lack of clarity in Shaked’s immigration policy

Another leaked back-and-forth from the cabinet meeting on the government’s refugee policy exposes the lack of clarity around how it is supposed to be implemented.

Last week, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked said Israel would take in 5,000 Ukrainian refugees who are ineligible for citizenship under the Law of Return. After coming under fire for the policy seen as too stringent, Shaked announced yesterday that the relatives of those 5,000 would also be allowed in.

Shaked: “If a refugee is a third cousin [of someone already in the country], he will not be approved.”

Housing Minister Ze’ev Elkin: “What does that mean? What is the policy?”

Shaked: “Grandfather — yes. Brother — yes. Third cousin — we’ll have to see what the request is.”

Elkin: What does that mean ‘we’ll have to see?’ That is not a policy. I’m totally lost. What does the policy say?”

Shaked: “We said relatives [will be allowed in].”

Elkin: “Relatives is a very broad term. It needs to be a clear policy.”

Shaked: “Nu, Elkin. Why are you doing this now?