The Committee for Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs convened on Wednesday for a debate on the unique needs of new immigrants in emergency situations and the response of government ministries and local authorities to these needs.
Committee Chair MK Gilad Kariv (Labor) said, “It is clear to us that the problems brought to our attention are not always unique to the immigrant population, but it is important to address the specific needs of immigrants who have been affected and to ensure proper access to information. It is important to allow new immigrants to arrive in Israel as soon as possible, preferably before the start of the new school year. We need to ensure that the initiative that was launched during Operation Swords of Iron for making information accessible to immigrants in various languages continues during our current emergency routine. I commend the Home Front Command for advance alerts in English, Arabic, and Russian, and request that alerts also be translated into Amharic, French, and Spanish. Families whose homes have been damaged need peace of mind. The stay in hotels should be extended at least until mid-August. The buildings and homes that were directly hit were in areas inhabited by new immigrants. It is estimated that about 20% of those evacuated are families of new immigrants.”
According to data provided by the Tax Authority, there are approximately 10,000 evacuees due to damage caused during Operation Swords of Iron. The Tax Authority notes that, as of now, tenants will receive compensation equivalent to the rent amount specified in their lease, for a similar property to the one damaged. The time limit is until either the property is restored or the lease ends. The Tax Authority emphasizes that compensation will not be given to both the tenant and the landlord. Compensation for landlords would require legislation currently under review in the Ministry of Finance.
Tax Authority official Haya Levy said, “All claims are submitted online and in the most accessible manner possible. As of now, we are extending the hotel stays for evacuees until July 20. At the same time, we are setting up an exceptions committee to review special cases requesting an extension of hotel stays.”
On June 17, 2025, the Population and Immigration Authority announced a blanket extension of residence permits, which have been digitally extended until September 30, 2025.
Ministry of Aliyah and Integration official Shir Galili said, “We currently have a series of planned flights to bring new immigrants to Israel. Anyone who wants to immigrate to Israel – we will make sure they have a flight. Immigrants who approach us for assistance receive help with submitting required documents. Every immigrant family that contacts us receives professional support. We are currently assisting 235 immigrant families, including some 25 families from the Ethiopian community. We worked together with the Tax Authority and helped translate the relevant documents into various languages.”
Reut Fogel, head of the ministry’s Emergency Division, said “We are actively reaching out to immigrants who were evacuated or affected during Operation Rising Lion.”
MK Vladimir Beliak (Yesh Atid) said, “I hope that in the coming days the state will be able to approve a new compensation framework for landlords and tenants whose homes were damaged during the war. I ask the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration to translate any new procedures for new immigrants into various languages, as quickly as possible.”
Shimon Shamila of the Jewish Agency said, “We contacted all those who registered to immigrate to Israel but whose arrival was postponed due to the closure of the airspace. All suspended events around the world have resumed, and we are working to expand our Aliyah activities worldwide. We are doing everything possible to make immigration-related information accessible even in countries where this is difficult to do openly. Now is the time to bring as many immigrants to Israel as possible.”
Amir Dor, head of the Absorption Authority in the Tel Aviv–Yafo Municipality, said “Over 2,000 residents were evacuated to hotels due to damage to their homes, including about 70 new immigrants. During Operation Rising Lion, we had excellent cooperation with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration and with civil society organizations and NGOs. All municipal announcements were translated into languages appropriate for the immigrants in our city.”
Ministry of Defense official Billie Frenkel said, “Since the start of the Swords of Iron war, all our guidelines have been published in 14 languages. The dissemination of our advance instructions is currently done in multiple languages. We are relying on a network of public information liaisons in various languages and intend to expand this network to more languages.”
MK Kariv summed up the debate: “We will continue to monitor the assistance provided to immigrants directly or indirectly affected during Operation Rising Lion. A major challenge is resolving compensation for apartment renters. I call for a decision to extend hotel stays beyond the next two weeks. We must preserve the proper conduct of the various authorities during the operation.”
