What a year: Read our annual report for 2022
2022: A YEAR OF TURMOIL
In February, after the russian invation into Ukrain created a refugee crisis, The Hotline took a
leading part in the design of Israel’s policies towards the rights of war refugees from Ukraine.
Together with fellow NGOs, we have promoted advocacy, lobby, and media work to make sure
Israel provides protection and basic rights to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Within the first
month of the war, we initiated 12 media items and participated in 5 Knesset sessions regarding
.the rights given to Ukrainian refugees
On May 3rd, we filed a petition, together with HIAS Israel and in the name of other NGOs, to the Jerusalem District Court against the interior ministy’s decition to remove the group protection from the Congolese comminity in Israel. While the court did not cancel the decision, following the petition the government decided to exempt from its decision all of the community’s children and their families. We will continue to assist all members of the Congolese community.
On December 26, we submitted a petition to the Central District Court, with HIAS Israel and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), against the Population and Immigration Authority, in order to find an immediate solution to the intolerable situation at the ministry of interior office in Bnei Brak: On November 23, the Immigration Authority decided to stop the automatic
renewal of asylum seekers’ permits which has been going on for months, and required that asylum seekers would immediately return to extend their visas in person. No necessary preparations were put in place for this unexpected change of policy, which has caused mayhem in the entire community. In the last two months of 2022, we have received hundreds of complaints from asylum seekers that their visa has expired, and as they could not renew it, it cost them their job. In an attempt to enter the facility, every morning, from 4:00 am, there
is a long line of people in front of the bureau, but most asylum seekers still go back empty-handed. Dozens of community members came to the court hearing in the case, and we were touched to read the comments of the members of the asylum community posted in regards to our appeal, such as: “We appreciate and we are thankful for your work and efforts for the community and we hope you will continue to help us until there is a solution”.
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