Israel will be entering a shutdown on Erev Rosh Hashana. In conjunction with this, on Thursday, September 17, the Interior Ministry suddenly announced that, effective immediately, no permits to enter Israel will be issued to students. This applies to all students, whether married or single.
As reported previously, thanks to the efforts of Rabbi Nechemya Malinowitz, head of the Igud of Yeshivas and Seminaries, last month, a process was established to allow entry of foreign students into Israel. This process has allowed thousands of students to return to their studies in the Holy Land. Now, this process has been suspended, until the conclusion of the lockdown.
The Interior Ministry announcement states that students who have already received permits will be allowed to enter Israel, even during the lockdown. Supposedly, the process will be re-started after the lockdown concludes. The lockdown is currently scheduled to end on October 10.
It is still unclear if entry permits will continue to be issued for exceptional circumstances, such as weddings, bar mitzvas and births. Sources tell Chaim V’Chessed that these permits will continue to be granted. However, we have not been able to obtain confirmation of this.
