The Ukrainian embassy in Israel is petitioning the Supreme Court against Israel’s cap on the entry of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war against Russia, reports News-Desk.

The appeal claims that the government’s limitation on refugee entrance violates international accords between the countries and international conventions of which Israel is a party and was not enforced with the correct authority.

The embassy hired an Israeli attorney to file the suit. Their attorney, Tomer Warsha, called on the Supreme Court to issue an injunction to immediately block the new policy and compel the government to allow more Ukrainians into Israel.

The embassy’s letter that Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk signed was widely publicized in Israel’s media. However, the embassy later denied that they formally “submitted an appeal to the Israeli court.” The embassy said in a statement. However, they added that it still “supports the core of the appeal.” It was unclear if the ambassador’s letter was officially submitted to the court.

The letter stated that the embassy’s appeals to Israeli authorities were “ignored and left unanswered” and that the ambassador went the legal route after “exhausting diplomatic possibilities.”

According to a prior visa waiver agreement between Israel and Ukraine, Ukrainians can visit Israel as tourists for no more than three months without the need for a permit. However, Jerusalem has essentially done away with this treaty since Russia invaded Ukraine and refugees began flooding out of the country.

This week, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked said that Israel would permit approximately 20,000 Ukrainians residing in Israel illegally or were on tourist visas before the war to stay while also allowing permits to an additional 5,000 gentile refugees fleeing the invasion. All Jewish Ukrainians are allowed in and given citizenship under the Law of Return.

Shaked said on Saturday night that the 5,000 cap was almost reached.

Israel365 is currently undergoing efforts to provide aid and bring Jews trapped in Ukraine to Israel. Please help by clicking on the image below.