Due to Israel’s bureaucracy, hundreds of new immigrants who arrived from Russia with Jewish Agency-issued tourist visas, were unable to receive their Israeli ID cards, preventing them from legally working, receiving Hebrew language studies, opening a bank account, renting an apartment, receiving medical insurance or being granted the rights and benefits other immigrants receive.
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Some of the Olim have already obtained all the required approvals to come to Israel, and the Jewish Agency even purchased one-way flight tickets for them to arrive in Israel. However, they are now stuck in bureaucratic processes that don’t allow them to get an appointment at government offices to approve their documents. The problems increased late in June when the Immigration and Integration Ministry closed their One Stop Shops opened to expedite processes for Russian-speaking Ukrainian immigrants.
Some immigrants said they were left in limbo since they were not able to return to Russia. Despite their high motivation to integrate and contribute to Israeli society, they said they felt unwanted and unable to move forward claiming the government was placing obstacles in their way, deliberately and that immigrants from Russia were particularly targeted.
Boris Kogan, a dentist from Moscow, arrived in Israel in May with a Jewish Agency-issued tourist visa for himself, his wife, and their 3-year-old daughter. He made contact with the Jewish Agency last October expressing
Kogan had contacted the Jewish Agency back in October, expressing his desire to immigrate after Russia invited Ukraine. “They only called back in February, and asked when we wanted to make Aliyah, so I answered in May. We arrived at the airport and no one was waiting for us. We’re just like tourists, and I don’t have any income.”
Kogan added that he was unable to work as a dentist despite his diplomas being recognized by health authorities. “I don’t know how long it’ll take. I can’t use a credit card and it’s very expensive to live in Israel. We won’t go back to Moscow but I don’t know what else to do now.”
He said that despite everything he’s been through, he still wants to stay in Israel and become an Israeli citizen. "I met a dentist who was my student in Moscow. He works here and was approved to work two months after he arrived. I don't even have an Israeli ID. I don’t know why they treat us like this.”
Kogan and others in the same predicament said that while they wait for their appointments in the ministry, they were approached by fraudsters promising them an immediate Israeli ID if they pay €5,000 or $3,000.
Alexandra Pletnev, who arrived in Israel from Moscow six months ago, said she was still waiting for her work permit while her savings were running out. "It's very tough being here, I was accepted into dance studies in Jerusalem, but without an ID card, I can’t join classes.”
"There are hundreds of cases like Boris and Alexandra, Linda Pardes Friedburg who heads an organization assisting in the cultural integration of immigrants said. "Most of them are outstanding people who are eligible to immigrate under the Law of Return and want to contribute to Israel,” she said adding that the problems have caused a drop in the number of Russian speakers considering a move to Israel "from 6,000 in January 2023 to about 3,000 in May 2023.”
“Due to delays in document processing, the number of Russian-speaking Olim dropped from approximately 6,000 in January 2023 to about 3,000 in May 2023.”
Immigration and Absorption Minister Ofir Sofer said it was better to process immigrants through the ministry and that most immigrants preferred that route, over the expedited option.
According to estimates in Russia, 12,000 Jews were stuck in bureaucratic processes, with thousands more interested in immigration. Government estimates suggest that around 40% of those who arrived from Russia have already left Israel, after having to wait for months for their status to be finalized.