Israel

There are approximately 30,000 asylum seekers in Israel, the majority having fled genocide in Sudan and forced military conscription in Eritrea: most entered Israel after a perilous journey at the hands of smugglers. Asylum seekers within Israel’s borders experience difficult conditions that limit access to protection and make it difficult to lead a stable life.

The Israeli government continues to struggle to implement an appropriate response, instead focusing primarily on deterrence and pressuring people to leave. As a result, it has been nearly impossible for applicants to gain asylum, with Israel’s approval rate less than 1%. Although some refugees have been in the country for years and speak Hebrew fluently, few prospects for local integration, immigration status, and access to basic rights exist. The COVID-19 crisis hit the asylum seeker community particularly hard, as over 70 percent lost their jobs and continue to be impacted by the resurging waves of the pandemic.

HIAS Israel was a quick responder to the influx of Ukrainian refugees in 2022, providing legal and paralegal aid to prevent deportation and reunite families. Research from a Rapid Needs Assessment and survey showed the need for further legal protection, access to employment programs, culturally appropriate mental health services, and strengthened protection monitoring for women, children, and other vulnerable groups, which has informed HIAS Israel’s Ukraine response project. The office also works closely with community volunteer centers assisting Ukrainian refugees.