Shaked announces end to deposit requirement for Ukrainian refugees, pledges to take in 5K

Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked announces that Israel will no longer require Ukrainian refugees arriving at Ben Gurion Airport to deposit NIS 10,000 ($3,028) in order to enter the country.

In a press statement from Jerusalem, Shaked says Israel will agree to take in 5,000 Ukrainian refugees. It has already taken in roughly 3,000. Ukrainians will receive a temporary visa, allowing them to remain in Israel for three months. If at the end of that period the fighting in Ukraine is still persisting, they will be allowed to work in Israel as well.

Instead of paying a deposit, those who enter will have to sign a form pledging to leave Israel as soon as the state of emergency in Ukraine is over.

Israel will also allow the 20,000 Ukrainians who Shaked says were already illegally residing in the country before the violence started to remain, Shaked announces.

Any Ukrainian citizen who wishes to come to Israel will have to submit an online application on the Foreign Ministry’s website. They’ll have to present the approved form before boarding a plane to Israel. Israeli citizens will be able to apply to host Ukrainian citizens, with each applicant allowed to host a single nuclear family.

As for Ukrainian Jews, Israel will continue providing citizenship to each of them who seeks to immigrate to Israel.