Immigration & Asylum Law

Asylum Applications and Refugee Status

Israel is a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol, which require it to examine each asylum application on its merits and refrain from returning an asylum seeker to a country where they may face persecution. However, refugee recognition rates in Israel are low compared to international norms, and the process requires informed and prepared representation. Our office accompanies asylum seekers throughout all stages of the process — from filling out the initial Form 1, through the interview with the RSD unit and the Advisory Committee's review of the file, to appeals before the Appeals Tribunal, the District Court and the Supreme Court. We prepare our clients for interviews, build the evidence file, and respond to negative decisions with arguments grounded in international law and Israeli jurisprudence.

Asylum & Refugees

Entry Refusals to Israel

A traveler who arrives at a port of entry and receives an entry refusal finds themselves in a unique factual and legal situation — they are physically in Israel but are not considered to have legally entered it, and the authorities have the power to detain and return them to their country of origin within hours. The refusal authority is vested in the border control officer under the Entry into Israel Law, and is typically exercised due to suspicion of intent to stay in Israel without a proper permit, a negative record in the Authority's databases, or failure to meet entry conditions for citizens of a particular country. Our office represents travelers stranded at the port of entry and families seeking to assist detained relatives, files urgent petitions to the Administrative Court to stay the return and examine the validity of the refusal, and works to regularize entry status as quickly as possible.

Appeals Against Population and Immigration Authority Decisions

The Population and Immigration Authority issues thousands of decisions each year regarding the status of foreigners in Israel — refusal to extend a stay permit, rejection of an asylum application, revocation of existing status, or issuance of a departure order. These decisions can be appealed before the Appeals Tribunal and before administrative courts, and in appropriate cases even before the Supreme Court sitting as the High Court of Justice. Our office analyzes each decision on its merits, examines its administrative validity, and files reasoned appeals based on grounds such as flawed discretion, failure to meet international standards, and violation of fundamental rights.

Immigration Detention and Release Proceedings

Administrative detention of immigrants and asylum seekers is one of the most controversial tools in Israeli law. The Entry into Israel Law allows detention for the purpose of deportation, but Supreme Court rulings have established important limitations on its use. Our office represents detainees before the Custody Review Tribunal, files petitions to the District Court and the Supreme Court for release from detention, and works to obtain detention alternatives. The experience accumulated in these cases enables us to quickly identify relevant grounds for release and act efficiently even in urgent circumstances.

Family Reunification

The right to family life is recognized as a fundamental right, but family reunification processes in Israel involve complex bureaucracy, short deadlines, and strict evidentiary requirements. Our office represents couples and families seeking to regularize the status of a foreign spouse in Israel, including applications for immigrant visas, permanent residency permits, and applications under special status arrangements. We prepare the application file in a way that minimizes the risk of rejection and prepare for every stage of the process.

Immigrant and Resident Status

The Law of Return and the Citizenship Law grant immigration and citizenship rights to those with Jewish affiliation, but complex questions arise in this area as well — recognition of eligibility, appeals against refusal, and status questions in non-routine circumstances. Additionally, there is a permanent residency track for additional groups, including foreign spouses of Israeli citizens and individuals with humanitarian ties to Israel. Our office handles these applications with knowledge of relevant case law and the Authority's internal procedures.

Deportation and Removal

Deportation proceedings are the most severe process a foreigner can face, and sometimes they develop rapidly and without prior warning. Our office represents individuals facing deportation orders, files urgent petitions to the court to stay deportation, and works to establish grounds preventing deportation — including protection against refoulement (non-refoulement), humanitarian grounds, and best interests of the child considerations. In cases where deportation was already carried out unlawfully, we examine the possibility of acting to return the deportee.

Representation of Palestinians in Status Regularization and Before the Threats Committee

Palestinians present in Israel face a unique set of legal and administrative proceedings that require deep familiarity with both general immigration law and the specific arrangements applicable to them. Our office represents Palestinians in status regularization proceedings before the Population and Immigration Authority, including applications for stay permits, status regularization on humanitarian grounds, and cases of undocumented stay. Additionally, the office represents clients before the Threats Committee — the body that adjudicates applications by Palestinians seeking protection due to a genuine fear for their lives or safety in their place of residence. These proceedings are complex and sensitive, involving security, humanitarian, and legal considerations alike, and require experienced, careful, and committed representation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the asylum process take in Israel?

The asylum process in Israel can take many years. The initial RSD stage sometimes takes one to three years, and court appeals can extend the process further. Throughout this period, the asylum seeker is generally entitled to a temporary stay permit, but their status remains uncertain until a final decision is reached.

Can a rejection of an asylum application be appealed?

Yes. A rejection by the Advisory Committee can be appealed before the Appeals Tribunal, and subsequently before the District Court and the Supreme Court. It is important to act quickly, as there are strict deadlines for filing an appeal. Legal representation at the appeal stage is critical and significantly impacts the chances of success.

What should you do when you receive a deportation order?

Receiving a deportation order requires immediate action. You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible, as an urgent petition can be filed with the court to stay the deportation until the matter is examined on its merits. The court may grant an interim order suspending the deportation, and in parallel, grounds for protection such as non-refoulement, humanitarian considerations, or the best interests of the child can be examined.

Can a Palestinian regularize their status in Israel?

Status regularization for Palestinians is a complex process governed by restrictive policies, but there are pathways that can be pursued — including exceptional humanitarian circumstances, family ties with Israeli citizens, and situations of proven danger. Each case is examined on its merits, and often the difference between rejection and approval is determined by the quality of the legal argument and the documentation submitted.

What is the Threats Committee and who can apply to it?

The Threats Committee is an administrative body that adjudicates applications by Palestinians who face a genuine threat to their lives or safety in their area of residence and cannot return there due to the threat they face. The committee examines each case individually, weighing humanitarian considerations alongside other factors. This process requires thorough preparation and meticulous documentation of the threat, and it is strongly recommended to approach it with legal representation.

What is the difference between an asylum application and an application to the Threats Committee?

An asylum application is filed under the Refugee Convention and is intended for those persecuted on grounds of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. An application to the Threats Committee is a separate process, unique to Palestinians, and based on a different legal and administrative framework. In some cases, both tracks can be pursued simultaneously, while in others the appropriate track must be chosen based on the specific circumstances.

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