On Wednesday July 22, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein announced that permission would be granted to foreign students to enter Israel, despite the general ban on entry of foreigners.
The announcement comes after weeks of intensive work by the recently formed Yeshiva & Seminary Coalition for Bnei Chul, headed by Rabbi Nechemya Malinowitz. The Coalition is comprised of more than 100 institutions catering to foreign students, from across the spectrum of Orthodoxy, serving a total of 15,000 students.
The efforts received strong support from MK Rabbi Yitzchak Pindrus. Pindrus, himself the son of American immigrants, has emerged as a strong advocate for the foreign community in Israel.
The approval relates to yeshiva, seminary and ulpana students. Each institution will be required to comply with Health Ministry instructions. Students will need to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival in Israel, in groups of up to six.
Not all institutions will qualify to participate in this incipient program. Please contact your individual yeshiva or seminary for further details.
PLEASE NOTE: AT THIS MOMENT, THIS PLAN RELATES ONLY TO SINGLE STUDENTS. THE STATUS OF MARRIED STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ENTER ISRAEL FOR VARIOUS REASONS HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. Chaim V’Chessed continues to advocate for a solution for these families. We will issue updates when they become available.
UPDATE WEDNESDAY PM: Married students will be included in this plan, see here for further details.