What is the role of UNHCR in Israel?
UNHCR Israel is primarily an advocacy office that aims to protect the rights and welfare of asylum seekers and refugees through legal advice, training and other support to the authorities. UNHCR Israel collaborates with NGOs to support refugees and asylum-seekers in meeting their basic needs and conducts educational and public information activities on refugee and asylum issues. The office also monitors the rights of asylum seekers and advocates for legislation affecting our population of concern. We train key government and civil society stakeholders on basic protection issues and try to strengthen public awareness of refugee issues.
In some limited cases, we assist with resettlement and other legal pathways to permanent residency in a third country. UNHCR started in Israel as a small office in 1976. Until 2009, UNHCR was responsible for refugee status determination, after which the Interior Ministry took over the process.
Who do we help?
Our primary purpose at UNHCR is to safeguard the rights and well-being of people forced to flee their country. Together with governmental and NGO partners, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders, we ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country. We also strive to secure lasting solutions to the problems of refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons.
- Refugees: A refugee is someone unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.
- Asylum-seekers: When people flee their home country to seek protection in another State, they often have to individually apply for asylum under the national asylum procedure. While their case is pending a final decision, they are known as asylum-seekers. Not every asylum-seeker may ultimately be recognized as a refugee (or given another form of protection), but every refugee is initially an asylum-seeker.
- People holding Humanitarian status: Some asylum-seekers are granted a form of protection by the Ministry of Interior called humanitarian status. This has been done on an individual or on a group basis. It provides fewer rights than refugee status, and it is a temporary scheme but offers better protection and security of residence than the rights asylum-seekers have.
- Stateless people: Stateless persons are not identified as citizens of any country and can struggle to access basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement. Without these things, they can face a lifetime of obstacles and disappointment. There are around 50 known stateless people in Israel.
UNHCR Services are Free of Charge
There is no charge for any service provided by UNHCR, whether you work with us directly or through our partners. UNHCR provides protection and assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers and others in an impartial manner based on their needs, irrespective of their race, religion, political opinion, age, or gender.
UNHCR’s capacity to ensure the protection of refugees and other persons of concern depends on the ability of its staff and partners to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.
An asylum-seeker or a refugee must not attempt under any circumstances to bribe any person working for UNHCR or its implementing partners in any capacity. Any person claiming to be able to help an asylum-seeker or a refugee to receive a UNHCR service for money or favours should be reported immediately.
You can also try our local website: UNHCR.org/il for more information and activities available in English and Hebrew.
