Ministers, soldiers welcome Ukrainians at airport

Tuesday saw Ukrainian immigrants welcomed at Ben Gurion Airport by Immigration and Absorption Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata and Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Tuesday, as the number of incoming immigrants from Ukraine since Russia invaded the country on February 24 continued to grow.

The ministers toured the terminal designated for Ukrainian arrivals and spoke to the refugees. Tamano-Shata and Gantz were accompanied by IDF soldiers who have been providing logistical support for arriving refugees, as hundreds land in the Jewish state on a daily basis.

“I’m moved to see IDF soldiers joining this national effort,” Tamano-Shata said during the visit.

Gantz noted that the real challenge will be the long-term integration of the migrants, which will require the collective effort of the entire nation.

“These people have arrived here under difficult circumstances,” he said, speaking to soldiers at the airport. “The State of Israel has always been their home. Now, they are exercising their right of return and we’re happy to help.

“This is a good chance to tell Israel’s citizens that everything we see here is just the first phase of arriving to Israel. The process of absorption is long and could take years. We must open our hearts, our homes, our job market. The entire society needs to mobilize… This is why the State of Israel exists, home of the Jewish people,” he said.