Proposal: Cancel visa requirement for Russians
Tourism minister wants to increase Russian tourism to Israel by annulling visa requirement for Russians. Internal security minister opposes initiative, says it will make it easier for 'criminal elements' to enter country
Tourism Minster Yitzhak Aharonovitch, who proposed annulling the need for a visa, said that "the prostitutes come here with or without a visa. Because of bureaucracy we are missing out on hundreds of thousands of tourists."
The government will discuss the proposal Monday.
Aharonovitch claimed that if the requirement for visas, which take some four months to be issued, is lifted, 250-300,000 Russian tourists are expected to arrive in the country every year, create some 10,000 new jobs and generate thousands of millions of shekels to the Israeli economy.
The tourism minister explained that Russian tourists currently prefer to visit Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt, where they are not required to obtain a visa.
The chief opponent to Aharonovitch's initiative is Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter, who believes that if it the plan is approved, it would enable "criminal elements" to enter Israel easily. "The Israel police are facing the problem of prostitutes who may find it easier to get into the country, as well as with the rising phenomenon of labor immigrants and illegal residents," he stated.
Networks recruit women for prostitution
According to police data, 16 prostitutes from Russia were arrested in Israel this year, and 101 were arrested during 2006. Since January 2007, the police deported 38 Russian citizens and 48 Ukrainian prostitutes.The Internal Security Ministry's legal advisor wrote in an opinion submitted to the ministers ahead of the discussion that large networks were operating in Russia and the former Soviet Union to recruit women to work in prostitution in Israel. He said that dozens of members of these networks have been arrested abroad and reported of "tens of thousands of women from eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, and Moldova who entered Israel since 2000."
The Immigration Police reported that out of the 147,000 illegal immigrants currently staying in the country, 66,000 were from the former Soviet Union.
99% have entered Israel
Despite these objections, Minister Aharonovitch is confident he will manage to recruit a majority to support his position in the committee, which includes Ministers Avi Dichter, Tzipi Livni, Daniel Friedmann, Ruhama Avraham and Haim Ramon.
The tourism minister told Ynet, "Since I am a retired police major-general, they shouldn't try to tell me tales. First of all I have no doubt that economically, this is a very beneficial move for Israel.
"In the criminal aspect of the matter, here is some data: In 2006, 43,000 tourists from Russia requested visas to Israel and only 375 were denied. This means that over 99% were allowed entrance to Israel, so don't talk to me about supervision."
Aharonovitch added that a criminal wishing to enter Israel did not face many difficulties. "It's about supervision of those entering and this can be done at Ben Gurion Airport and anyone who is suspicious, will be sent back to Russia.
"As for the Internal Security Ministry's claim that thousands of prostitutes have infiltrated since the early 2000s, they are simply justifying my position; all these arrived with visas. It is true that we are facing a certain risk, but it is a calculated risk. The cost should be calculated against the benefit.
If the cancellation of visas is approved by the ministerial committee headed by Aharonovitch, the matter will be brought before the government for approval.
The Foreign Ministry will then work toward a mutual agreement with Russia and possibly with other former soviet states.
At the same time, the Interior Ministry and the Internal Defense Ministry will work toward establishing a supervising mechanism that will enable Russian tourists to enter Israel.
