Why Israel's Ukraine Refugee Policy is so Controversial | Unpacked

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, thousands of people have fled their homes, sparking an international conversation surrounding refugee absorption into other countries. One of the countries debating the issue is Israel, a country where refugee absorption is part of the national discourse.

With Ukraine being the world’s fifth-largest Jewish community, many Ukrainian Jews have sought asylum in Israel. Under Israel’s Law of Return, anyone with a Jewish grandparent can automatically receive citizenship to Israel. However, not all Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in Israel are eligible for citizenship.

While Israel has always been a safe haven for Jews, should that apply to non-Jewish refugees too?

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:20 Debates over Israel's responsibility to provide refuge
02:10 The Law of Return
02:44 Ineligibility of Israeli citizenship for majority of Ukrainian refugees
03:02 Ukrainians with Israeli relatives
03:35 Arguments in favor of raising the refugee cap
04:08 WW2, the Evian Conference, and Jewish refugees
05:03 Israel as a refuge only for Jews
05:53 Ongoing debate since the Zionist Movement
07:32 Responsibility for both the Jewish People and the world

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Image and footage credits:
Israel GPO
Israel GPO - David Eldan
i24
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About Explainers: From ancient Jewish traditions to the modern State of Israel, we explain it all. Diving into anything and everything related to Jewish culture, history, and even religion.
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