Horowitz slams Shaked for refusing medical insurance for Ukraine refugees – The Times of Israel

Horowitz slams Shaked for refusing medical insurance for Ukraine refugees - The Times of Israel

Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked has said she refuses to allow the state to fund medical insurance for the thousands of Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in Israel, according to a Thursday report.

Shaked said there is “no chance” Israel would pay for the medical insurance, three sources present during a government cabinet meeting told Channel 12 news.

Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz hit back according to the network, saying in a separate closed meeting: “It is inconceivable that we are receiving people from a war and not giving them medical treatment.”

“It is a shame and a disgrace,” Horowitz added, vowing he wouldn’t let Shaked have her way.

But according to the report, the government’s decision is to not pay for the insurance for now, even though the costs are not particularly high, estimated at only a few million shekels, the network noted.

Get The Times of Israel’s Daily Edition
by email and never miss our top stories

By signing up, you agree to the terms

Shaked said in response that “these are not refugees but people who are coming [to Israel] on a tourist visa.”

“They will receive urgent medical care through Terem [Emergency Medical Services Centers] but there are families who host them and they can handle their private insurance,” she added.

The network said Shaked is worried refugees with Israeli health insurance would settle permanently in the country, and not leave once the war in Europe ends.

The issue was again expected to be discussed during Sunday’s weekly cabinet meeting, the report said.

Shaked has played a central role in ongoing tumult over Israel’s refugee policy.

See also  Kaiser vs. Blue Cross Blue Shield (California)

Immigrants fleeing from Ukraine arrive at the immigration and absorption office at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on March 15, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

Israel’s handling of arrivals previously caused outrage, with some would-be entrants kept waiting for hours and even days at the airport, before Shaked last week arranged for them to be accommodated at a hotel while their paperwork was processed.

Shaked first announced last week that Israel was preparing to take in 100,000 refugees who are eligible for citizenship under the Law of Return, meaning people with at least one Jewish grandparent.

Meanwhile, she capped the number of refugees ineligible for citizenship to be admitted at 5,000 (in addition to 20,000 who were in the country before war erupted). Amid a public outcry, however, she later announced that any relatives of Israelis will also be granted entry without a cap.

However, it remained unclear what proximity of relatives exactly would be acceptable.

Since the start of fighting when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, over 10,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Israel. Of those, some 2,800 are eligible to immigrate under Israel’s Law of Return or have already, according to Immigration and Absorption Ministry figures. Another 944 of them have left Israel either by choice or have been refused entry.


Do you value The Times of Israel?

If so, we have a request. 

Every day, our journalists aim to keep you abreast of the most important developments that merit your attention. Millions of people rely on ToI for fast, fair and free coverage of Israel and the Jewish world. 

See also  Third-party HR Guide: Can I outsource my HR?

We care about Israel – and we know you do too. So today, we have an ask: show your appreciation for our work by joining The Times of Israel Community, an exclusive group for readers like you who appreciate and financially support our work. 


Yes, I’ll give


Yes, I’ll give

Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this


You’re a dedicated reader

That’s why we started the Times of Israel ten years ago – to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.

So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.

For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.

Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel


Join Our Community


Join Our Community

Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this