Against the background of Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement about the expansion of conscription into the Russian army, Prime Minister Yair Lapid spoke with El Al's VP Shlomi Am-Shalom about the importance of continuing the direct flights from Moscow, and even increasing their rate. Immigrants from Russia to Israel may increase.
President Putin announced this morning (Wednesday) the mobilization of approximately 300,000 "reserve men" for the benefit of the faltering Russian war effort in Ukraine.
However, in Russia, any healthy person over the age of 27 who has not served in the army automatically belongs to the reserve system, and is consequently exposed to conscription in an emergency.
El-Al plane, photo: Gideon Markovich
In the past year, more than 23,000 immigrants from Russia came to Israel, which accounted for about 47% of the total number of immigrants who arrived in Israel - a significant increase compared to the previous years.
In recent months, Russia has been heaping difficulties on the activities of the Jewish Agency in the country, but the assessment in Israel is that the crisis on the subject may be resolved soon.
The conversation between Lapid and the VP of El Al was held when the latter turned to him and said hello before the Prime Minister's flight to the US. The two did not discuss the issue in depth, but as mentioned, it came up in the conversation. Israel is one of the few countries that continues to have direct flights to Russia, and as a result The number of flights operated by El Al to the country has greatly increased, since thousands of foreign citizens who wish to reach Russia use Israel as a transit station and catch "connections" there to Moscow and other cities.
Vladimir Putin, photo: AFP
Alon Oshfiz, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
In view of the high demand of foreign citizens, it is difficult to obtain tickets for flights, despite the large number of them.
A senior political official said that "We are strengthening and maintaining El Al flights, which are full to capacity. These flights must continue. I fear for the fate of the Jews in Russia."
The Prime Minister's Office stated that "the effort regarding the Center for the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alon Hospitalized".
The Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alon Oshfiz, said: "Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid instructed us to accept new immigrants from Russia.
This requires assessments on many levels, from flights to entry visas and reception in the country.
We work in full cooperation with the government ministries, our people at the Russian embassy and of course the El Al company that flies to Russia."
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