Ukraine is suffering a lot nowadays, but mostly nationals of Ukraine are suffering due to the Russian invasion, and one case reported in which mother and daughter who fled the fighting in Ukraine were detained at Ben Gurion Airport and ordered to pay a stipend, even though the daughter is an Israeli citizen, reported by media.
According to sources, the duo of mother and daughter left their home, which was stated to have been destroyed in a Russian bombardment– before ten days and set out for Israel, asked the administration to stay away in the country till the war ends.
However, the network reported that the duo was held up in the airport, and authorities demanded that the father pay a NIS 50,000 ($15,200) security deposit to allow them entry.
As per the father, that he was not capable enough to pay such an amount, the deposit was reduced to NIS 30,000 ($9,170), with officials threatening him that if it was not paid until midnight, they would deport the mother and daughter back to Ukraine.
After the TV report was broadcast, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked mandated that the two be allowed into Israel immediately.
Then, the father contacted UNICEF’s office in Israel and their officials, and then officials said that to contact authorities.
As per reports, the father had tried their best to bring the mother to Israel in the past, and she had not wanted to immigrate.
Earlier, Interior Minister declared that they took a measure demanding a security deposit from Ukrainian refugees would be immediately halted, following an outcry by organizations and officials. Therefore, it was not clear why immigration authorities had demanded a deposit from this family.
After all these reports, finally, ‘Shaked’ ordered the mother and daughter to be allowed into the country immediately without a deposit. Shaked also called authorities to transfer to a hotel any Ukrainian refugees who were at the airport awaiting the processing of their entry requests.