Russian tourists no longer need visas
Citizens of former Soviet nations will no longer be required to obtain visa before entering Israel as government unanimously votes to change law. Foreign Ministry already working on mutual agreement with Russia
Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter toed the line with the rest of the ministerial legislative committee on Wednesday as they unanimously voted to cancel the law demanding tourists from Russia and other
former Soviet nations obtain a visa to enter Israel.
Dichter had initially objected to the proposal and provoked an onslaught of criticism after stating that the policy change would allow "tens of thousands" of prostitutes and criminals to enter Israel freely.
Dichter's office said he had always supported the proposal and voted in accordance with his opinion but that he still maintains his original professional evaluation of the possible ramifications such a change may lead to.
"Dichter's sole responsibility is to prevent the increase of crime in Israel," his office said, adding that the minister again voiced his concerns before the final vote.
'You don't stop selling cars because of road accidents'
Tourism Minster Yitzhak Aharonovitch, who championed the proposal, welcomed the vote and called it "a historic move on Israel's part."Aharonovitch said that visas sometimes take up to four months to be issued and that without the cumbersome bureaucratic process, Israel could expect some 300,000 more Russian tourists a year, a figure that would spur the creation of 10,000 new jobs and bring in millions of shekels to the economy.
The tourism minister said that most Russian tourism to the Middle East is currently being enjoyed by countries like Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt, where no visas are required.
Aharonovitch rejected Dichter's fears and asserted that "the prostitutes come here with or without a visa.
"You don't stop selling cars because there are road accidents and you don't stop tourism because of the possibility that criminals will also enter the country. Illegal migrants should be sent away, criminals
should be tracked down and prostitutes should be arrested. But you can't shut down the country's borders because of these things," he said.
The Foreign Ministry has already been instructed to work towards an agreement with Russia and other former Soviet nations to ensure the policy change is mutual.
