Israel Often Denies Entry To Russians To Curb Illegal Employment - Foreign Minister

Israel Often Denies Entry to Russians to Curb Illegal Employment - Foreign Minister

Russians are frequently denied entry to Israel as some try to enter the country to look for a job the guise of tourism, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told Sputnik

TEL AVIV (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd January, 2020) Russians are frequently denied entry to Israel as some try to enter the country to look for a job the guise of tourism, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told Sputnik.

Speaking about tourism, the diplomat described it as an important impetus for the national economy and a factor for improving mutual understanding between Israelis and Russians. He said that over 320,000 Russian tourists visited Israel in 2019, and that his country was interested in providing the best conditions for its guests.

"It is also important for us to resolve the problem related to the recent increase in cases of Russian tourists illegally residing in our country. This is the main reason why we need to make sure that the purpose of the visit of Russian citizens is tourism. If there are grounds for suspicion that the reason is different, we have to deny them entry. Just like other countries, including Russia, we are taking the steps necessary to prevent foreign citizens from entering Israel for illegal employment under the guise of tourism," he said.

The minister added that the two countries maintained productive and professional dialogue on the matter in the hopes of finding an acceptable solution to the problem and develop the tourism sector.

Earlier in the month, the Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv said that more than 5,700 Russians were denied entry to Israel in 2019. The matter was discussed at bilateral consultations on consular issues in December.