03.05.2020
HaMoked to the Ministry of Interior: given the expected summer workload, publish in advance your arrangements for optimal handling of requests of extension of permits and visas held by Palestinians lawfully living in Israel
Due to the coronavirus crisis, in March 2020, the Ministry of Interior automatically extended until June 30, 2020, stay permits, visas and temporary residency permits which expired as of March 12, 2020, of people residing legally in Israel.
On May 3, 2020, HaMoked sent the Ministry of Interior a request to issue a public notice in advance that would clarify to all concerned – both people whose status was automatically extended and people whose status will expire in the summer months unrelated to the health crisis – what they must do to retain their status and rights. This, explained HaMoked, given the likelihood that in the summer months the Ministry of Interior's East Jerusalem bureau would have to cope with an irregular workload in processing requests to extend various types of visas and permits. Therefore, HaMoked said, the Ministry must act soon to prevent leaving people – who lawfully live is Israel and comply with the Ministry’s requirements, without status, as illegal aliens, as a result of bureaucratic failures and needless delays.
