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Israel is a country that also provides asylum to individuals facing persecution in their home country. However, the asylum process in Israel differs from other countries, as the legislation and application process are quite specific. Nevertheless, Israel adheres to international human rights standards and offers a chance to obtain asylum to those who genuinely need protection.
In this article, we will examine in detail the asylum application process in Israel, including the key steps:
- Submitting an application.
- Consideration of the application.
- Appeal.
- Submitting a new application in case of refusal.
This guide will help you understand how to navigate the entire process, from applying to receiving refugee status or temporary protection status.
1. Applying for AsylumThe asylum application process in Israel begins with submitting an application to the Israeli Ministry of the Interior, which handles immigration and refugee protection.
At the border or airport:
If you arrive in Israel, you can apply for asylum immediately upon crossing the border. It is important to declare your intention to apply for asylum, and you should be referred to a center for the procedures.
Within the country:
If you are already in Israel, you can submit your application at a Ministry of the Interior office. This can be done at any immigration office, providing the following documents:
- Passport and other identification documents.
- A detailed explanation of the reasons why you cannot return to your country (e.g. threats of persecution, war, persecution on political, religious or ethnic grounds).
- Evidence of persecution (threatening letters, medical certificates, photographs, documents from human rights organizations).
2. Application Review
Once your application is submitted, the review process begins. Israel has a two-stage asylum review system.
The primary process is the Refugee Status Determination (RSD).During the first stage of your application, you will conduct an initial interview. The applicant will be asked to explain in detail their grounds for asylum, explain why they cannot safely return to their home country, and provide all available evidence.
Evidence Evaluation
The Ministry of the Interior and other relevant authorities will evaluate all submitted evidence, such as documents, threatening letters, medical certificates, photographs, witness statements, and expert reports.
Case Decision
After the initial review, the Ministry of the Interior makes a decision. If your application is rejected, you will be asked to leave the country. If the applicant is granted refugee status, they will be granted protection in Israel.
3. Appealing a Refusal
If your application is rejected at the first stage, you have the opportunity to appeal. In Israel, an appeal of a refusal is filed with the Refugee Court.
The appeal process is as follows:
- Timeframe: The appeal must be filed within 30 days of receiving the notice of refusal.
- Presenting New Evidence: It is important to present new or additionally discovered evidence that could change the outcome of the case.
- Consideration of the appeal: The court considers the case taking into account new evidence, explanations and may schedule an additional interview with the applicant.
4. The role of the expert report in the appeal
At the appeal stage, the expert report becomes a key tool
It helps:
- Confirm that the RPD decision failed to take into account important aspects of the case.
- Point out errors in the interpretation of evidence or the situation in the country.
- Substantiate new evidence if the situation in the applicant's country has changed.
What is a Country Expert Report?
An expert report is an independent document prepared by an expert to confirm the reality of threats in the applicant's country.
The report's objectives are to:
Confirm the overall context:
- Describe the current situation in the country: political instability, repression, conflicts.
- Show how these conditions affect the applicant.
Strengthen the evidence base:
- Justify that the applicant belongs to a vulnerable group.
- Show why he cannot safely return to his country.
Support the facts with links:
- Each fact is confirmed by references to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN and others.
Russia and CIS Expert: Assistance in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan
My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I am an expert on human rights , political repression, and social abuses in the CIS countries. My work focuses on providing objective and professional expert witness reports for asylum seekers in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union. I specialize in analyzing and presenting evidence supporting the risks of persecution in the former Soviet Union.
My achievements:
- Over 100 successfully prepared expert witness reports for asylum applicants from CIS countries, including Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – at the appeals and initial application stages.
- Collaboration with leading US and UK law firms, including the preparation of reports that have become key evidence in successful asylum cases.
- Winner of the Expert Witness Awards 2024 in the category "Best Expert on Immigration Issues".
- My in-depth knowledge of the legal and political situation in the CIS countries allows me to objectively assess the risks of political persecution, human rights violations, and other factors affecting the safety of applicants.
- Recognition as a respected expert in the field of human rights and political repression, including inclusion in the Experts for Immigration and Justice (EIN) database: https://www.ein.org.uk/experts/kharitonov
Having gone through the asylum process myself, I understand how important it is to present the court with a complete and accurate picture of what happened.
If you are looking for a professional expert on political asylum issues from the CIS countries, my services will help you prepare a strong and compelling case for your clients.
How I prepare an expert report:
- Analysis of the General Situation: I examine the political, religious and social conditions in the applicant's country of origin, including repression, persecution, human rights violations and other threats.
- Analysis of the applicant's circumstances: I study the statement, interview, provided documents and the decision of the court or immigration authority.
- Research: I use international and local sources, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN , and local media. I support every fact with references using the OSCOLA methodology.
- Compliance with standards:
- My reports are strictly regulated and comply with the guidelines set out in the Upper Tribunal's Practice Direction on Expert Evidence.
- Having accepted responsibility for the analysis and preparation of the report, I confirm the accuracy of all facts presented and the correctness of the opinions expressed.
Declaration of Truthfulness:
At the end of each report, I sign a declaration confirming that all information presented is based on reliable sources and that the opinions expressed are my own.
Liability to Court:
- My professional remuneration is not dependent on the outcome of the case, which guarantees objectivity and the fulfillment of my duty to the court.
- In some cases, I may be called to court to provide evidence regarding circumstances in the appellant's country of origin.
— Maxim Kharitonov
How to contact me
: Email: info@thehuman-rights.com
Application on the website:
thehuman-rights.com
Working hours:
- I respond to requests within 1 hour.
- I prepare reports within 1 week, including complex and extensive cases.
5. Appeal to the Council of State (Conseil d'État)
If your appeal is rejected, you can file a complaint with the Conseil d'État, France's highest court.
When is this possible?
A complaint is filed in the event of legal errors or procedural irregularities at the CNDA.
The filing process:
- The complaint must be filed within 2 months of the CNDA refusal.
- The court may overturn the CNDA's decision and remand the case for retrial.
6. New application (réexamen)
If all previous attempts have been unsuccessful, you can submit a new application based on new circumstances.
What do you need for a new application?
- New evidence confirming the change in the situation in the country.
- Expert report substantiating the relevance of the threats
7. Fresh Claim
If all the previous steps fail, you can file a Fresh Claim.To do this, you need:
- New evidence that significantly changes the essence of the case.
- An expert report confirming changes in the situation in the country.
Conclusion:
The asylum application process in France is complex, but with the right preparation and support, you have every chance of success.
An expert report is a key tool to help you explain your story and justify the risks.
Contact me:
- Email: info@thehuman-rights.com
- Web: thehuman-rights.com
What This Means for Asylum Claims in Israel
Israel's procedure, from application and consideration to appeal and a fresh application after refusal, has its own rules, but the claim still has to show a real risk on return linked to a Convention ground: political opinion, religion, race/ethnicity, nationality or particular social group. Country evidence plays the same role there as in other systems. A refused claimant considering a new application will usually need new evidence. Our Israel country expert witness reports support claims connected with Israel.
Need an expert witness report for your case?
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