Asylum Seekers in Israel: What You Need to Know

Israel hosts approximately 60,000 displaced people, including around 30,000 asylum seekers from Sudan and Eritrea, and another 30,000 Ukrainians under temporary protection and Russian political asylum seekers. Although many asylum seekers have lived in Israel for years and speak Hebrew fluently, they have few prospects for gaining legal status or accessing basic rights like health, education, and employment.   

While Israel was one of the first signatories to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, which emerged from the mass displacement crisis following the Holocaust and World War II, its government has pursued policies aimed at limiting asylum claims and encouraging asylum seekers to leave the country. Israel’s asylum approval rate is less than 1%.  

Despite all these obstacles, HIAS is working with refugees and asylum seekers to help them access their legal rights and rebuild their lives in safety. HIAS Israel has advocated for refugees and asylum seekers since 1950.  

Read on to learn more about the current landscape for refugees and asylum seekers in Israel and how HIAS is helping.

Where do refugees and asylum seekers in Israel come from?

Many of the Eritrean and Sudanese asylum seekers entered Israel through the Sinai after a life-threatening journey at the hands of human traffickers. They have fled genocide, war, and persecution.

Eritrea is deemed to be one of the most repressive regimes in the world. Many Eritrean refugees are fleeing forced army conscription, which involves slave labor for the Eritrean regime, unrestricted length of service under abusive conditions, and, for those who defect and are caught, imprisonment and torture. Many Sudanese refugees in Israel fled war and genocide nearly two decades ago. Since 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in another civil war that has displaced millions, making a safe return impossible.

Many Ukrainians and Russians fled to Israel when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While displaced Ukrainians and Russians have received more support from the Israeli government, they continue to face similar barriers as Eritrean and Sudanese asylum seekers in accessing permanent legal status, health care, and employment.

What rights do refugees and asylum seekers have in Israel and what barriers do they face?

The Refugee Convention guarantees certain protections to people who are fleeing persecution. However, Israel’s government has focused on deterring migrants from entering the country and encouraging those who are seeking asylum to leave the country. Detention and deportation are a constant threat. The extremely low recognition rates of the Israeli asylum system make it nearly impossible to be recognized as a refugee. By comparison, the asylum recognition rate of Eritreans and Sudanese people in the EU is over 70%.

Through several court cases, often led by HIAS Israel, asylum seekers in Israel have been granted temporary protection, but very few have been granted asylum. Israel did not begin to process the asylum claims of Sudanese and Eritrean asylum seekers until 2013, and most claims have still not been considered.

The Israeli government provides asylum seekers with a “Conditional Release Permit,” which grants them the right not to be deported, but it does not allow them access to social services. Additionally, the Ministry of the Interior has made it very difficult for people to renew their permits. In many cases, only legal action from HIAS will lead to renewals. While this permit is not a work visa, the Israeli government does not prosecute employers who employ individuals with these visas, de facto allowing asylum seekers to work in Israel without full legal protections.

In 2013, Israel completed construction of a secure fence along the border with Egypt, virtually ending the influx of migrants. Still, many asylum seekers who have lived in the country for years have been imprisoned in the Holot Residential Facility, a large detention center.

The aim of all these burdensome policies is to encourage refugees and asylum seekers to leave Israel. Since Eritrea, Sudan, Ukraine, and Russia remain roiled in conflict, and Israel itself is engaged in multiple wars, most refugees are stuck in permanent limbo.

How have the wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran affected asylum seekers in Israel?

The October 7th attack on Israel and the ensuing wars with Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran have led to the displacement of refugees and asylum seekers within Israel. Refugees and asylum seekers living in Israel often fall outside of government support, yet are facing the same consequences as Israelis, including displacement, loss of income, and injuries from attacks.

In response to the conflicts, HIAS Israel has prioritized working with refugee communities to help them access emergency protection services, shelter assistance, cash assistance, food and household items, and mental health care. HIAS has particularly focused on the mental health of people coping with the trauma of being forced to flee war multiple times.

In times of crisis, the lack of basic rights or stable income quickly impoverishes refugee families. HIAS Israel and our pro bono partners continue to petition against the exclusion of asylum seekers from government assistance for those displaced by the wars.

How does HIAS support refugees and asylum seekers in Israel?

HIAS Israel works in partnership with asylum seekers and refugees, helping them rebuild their lives in safety. HIAS Israel provides critical legal protection, both through direct representation by HIAS Israel’s lawyers, as well as by pro bono attorneys and law students volunteering with the program. We also provide legal counseling and information about rights, status, and access to services.

In addition to offering direct legal representation, HIAS Israel and our partners initiate strategic litigation interventions to protect and advance refugee rights. HIAS also assists refugees with access to social services and facilitates refugee resettlement to other countries. HIAS advocates for a fair asylum system and offers higher education support and scholarships to Jewish immigrants coming to Israel.

Learn more about our work in Israel here.