Regev: "Examining the Abolition of the Exceptions Committee Before the Election" | Israel today

The Minister of Transportation said that the government is working to bring back the 25,000 Israelis who are abroad, so that they can vote in the elections.

Transport Minister Miri Regev announced today (Sunday) that the state intends to immediately return the Israeli citizens who are abroad on the occasion of the elections to be held in Israel in about three weeks, in a way that will "reduce the outbreak of the virus in Israel."

This is what Ben Gurion Airport looked like during the closing days, last month // Photo: Gil Kramer

In a press briefing held by the minister at Ben Gurion Airport, she also said that once this decision is approved, the exceptions committee will be abolished: "We will expand flights and allow Israelis to enter. I would like flights scheduled to return 25,000 Israelis staying abroad tomorrow.

We will perform antigen tests before Israelis board a plane abroad.

She also added that in order for the Israelis returning to Israel not to have to go into solitary confinement in hotels, very significant enforcement will have to be carried out by the police.

Regev also said that although the government approved the entry of up to 2,000 people into Israel every day, between 600 and 800 passengers actually enter the country.

"The whole story of 200 entrants a day has been dropped. The Exceptions Committee was transferred to the Ministry of Transport a week and a half ago, and is accompanied by legal advisers from each ministry from which there are representatives," she said.

"We know that there are thousands of Israelis abroad and are examining all the cases.

The Exceptions Committee is intended to reduce the number of people entering the country.

I instructed people to receive answers within 48 hours of submitting their application to return to Israel. "

Regev noted that more destinations will soon be opened for flights, from Melbourne Frankfurt in Germany and New York in the United States - probably Paris in France and Kiev in Ukraine.

"There will be no restricted targets. There will be a lot of testing and restrictions, but it seems the sky will open up. Everything is subject to government approvals," she said.