Israel is introducing a new application procedure for citizens from countries that benefit from visa-free access to the state, in a move that has set the scene for a new round in a diplomatic row between Israel, Ukraine and Moldova.
From 1 July 2024, Israel’s new rule will require foreigners who are allowed to enter Israel visa-free, to apply 72 hours in advance for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA-IL), giving approved arrivals a permit to stay up to 90 days in the Jewish state.
Currently applicable to US and German citizens, the scope of the ETA-IL authorisation will be extended from July to apply to Ukrainian and Moldovan citizens too. It is this aspect of the change in visa controls that is causing controversy, with Ukrainian embassy officials claiming the move “effectively put an end to visa-free travel.” As a result, both Ukraine and Moldova will be considering reciprocal action, requiring Israeli citizens to pre-register for travel to Ukraine.
1/2 The Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the State of Israel, Alexandr Roitman stated in this regard: ”We enjoyreciprocal visa free regime during 10 years already, it is worth mentioning that Moldova was the one which abolished unilaterally visa regime with Israel in 2011
— Ambassador Alex Roitman 🇲🇩 (@AlexandrRoitman) June 21, 2024
The timing of the spat comes just a few months ahead of the Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage, an annual event in which thousands of Orthodox pilgrims journey to Eastern Europe, including through Moldova, to reach the central Ukrainian city of Uman, where they spend the Jewish New Year holiday at the tomb of the late Hasidic leader Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. Last year saw similar diplomatic posturing.
The Ukrainian embassy’s Facebook page has threatened the introduction of “similar pre-approval requirements for Israeli citizens, including pilgrims. The specifics of these electronic visas are currently under review in Kyiv. These mutual actions will impact thousands of religious pilgrims who annually visit Ukraine.”
The Israelis however have appeared to dismiss the Ukrainian and Moldovan complaints as “a storm in a teacup” and implied that the Eastern countries have misunderstood the mechanisms behind a visa-free regime. “It’s about the widely accepted practice of electronic declarations before the arrival of tourists from visa-exempt countries. This practice has been used for many years, for example, by Canada. When a tourist who does not require a visa must fill out a declaration before entering Canada, based on which they can enter the country,” an Israeli source said.
But for Ukrainian Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk, the ETA-IL change comes off the back of “recent Israeli actions, such as restricting Ukrainian refugees and denying entry to many Ukrainians, have strained this relationship. The latest requirement effectively ends the visa-free regime.”
