News

07.07.2019
After 81 years: Sde Dov Airport in Tel Aviv is Shut Down
Despite objections and protests, Netanyahu announced that the evacuation of Sde Dov will go through, saving the state coffers billions of shekels

31.05.2019
Suspicion of corruption: Immigration and Population employees extended the stay of foreign workers in exchange for bribes
Nine people, including two Immigration and Population employees, received tens of thousands of shekels in exchange for extending the visa of foreign workers

09.05.2019
Law Changed to Benefit Foreign Citizens Following Israeli Shortcut's Intervention
The Ministry of Public Security will permit Israel Police to issue a certificate of integrity to foreign citizens under certain conditions. It is also considering amending the law

11.04.2019
Good News for Tourists Going Between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem
The fast Jerusalem line to the Ben Gurion Airport will have expanded hours of operation

26.03.2019
After 70 Years, the Old Eilat Airport Closed Its Gates Today
Flights to Eilat will now take place at the new Ramon International Airport at Timna, 20 kilometers north of Eilat

19.02.2019
Having a Work Visa is Not Sufficient to Work with Minors in Israel
Foreign citizens with work visas (B / 1) who wish to work in Israel at an institution for minors are not allowed due to a bureaucratic snafu

07.02.2019
Electricity and Water Tariffs to Increase
Since the beginning of this year, domestic water prices have increased by 4.5% and household electricity prices have increased by 2.9%

17.01.2019
Tourists on vacation who want to ride an electric bicycle and scooter in Israel will have to pass a written test in July
Beginning this July, a new law will come into force requiring bicycle and electric scooter riders in Israel to carry a license certifying they may ride on them. The new law also applies to foreign residents living in Israel

25.12.2018
A Tourist Can No Longer Pay an Amount Exceeding NIS 55,000 in Cash to a Business Owner in Israel
As of January 2019, a tourist is prohibited to give and a business owner is prohibited to receive cash in excess of NIS 55,000

10.12.2018
Minister Bennett: "Israel is Missing a Historic Opportunity in Arranging Aliyah from France"
At the cabinet meeting on Sunday, Minister of Diaspora Affairs Naftali Bennett presented a picture of Diaspora Jewry and stated his opinion that "relations between Israel and the Diaspora have reached an unprecedented crisis."

19.11.2018
The painful reality in Israel: A Vegetable Salad in a Restaurant Will Cost You About NIS 65, Double the Price Abroad
Restaurateur Oren Luxenberg decided to answer the question "Why does a vegetable salad in an Israeli restaurant cost NIS 65?” going into the nitty-gritty details

04.11.2018
Good News Concerning the Importation of Electrical Appliances to Israel
For the first time, a new order allows the personal and family importation of electronic goods, with a limit of up to five devices

21.10.2018
Municipal Elections Heating Up "Israeli Shortcut" Hoping for a Significant Change
The candidates are promising that they will help all sectors, but experience teaches not to put faith in their promises

16.10.2018
Bank of Israel’s recent assistance to Israeli Shortcut
The Bank of Israel recently requested that Israel bank corporations provide the list of nonresidents' designated branches to Israeli Shortcut

17.09.2018
"Israeli Shortcut" wishes for the New Year:
Dear petitioners, and foreign citizens who are living in Israel!

20.08.2018
Police Arrest East Jerusalem Gov’t Officials For Demanding Bribes for Appointments
The suspects reserved 1000s of appointment slots months in advance, and when residents needed services, they agreed to sell them the appointments for hundreds of shekels

13.08.2018
This September: The Next Stage in the Reform of Public Transportation in Jerusalem
You Rav-Kav card was empty when you boarded the bus? As of September, your trip will cost double

23.07.2018
Now You can Email Government Offices and Kupot Cholim
The Knesset approved the bill requiring all governmental bodies including Kupot Cholim to receive requests and documents by e-mail

30.06.2018
What Happened When a Tourist was Charged 150 Euros for a 8-Mile Trip?
The tourist had come from Cyprus to visit his mother in an Israeli hospital when he found himself at the mercy of a dishonest taxi driver

13.06.2018
Government Ministries are Violating Citizens and Residents’ Rights
State Comptroller: Government ministries are violating the "Freedom of Information Law" * Violating ministries include the Prime Minister's Office, Culture and Sport, the Environment, Religious Affairs and Finance * Some ministries took years to respond to petitioners

10.06.2018
Soon: State Clarifies Quantities Permitted for Personal Import
The clarifications will make it easier to bring in larger amounts of personal imports while avoiding the bureaucracy required for commercial imports

16.05.2018
Good news for foreign citizens
You Can Now Change Your Address at the Driver’s License Office

13.05.2018
U.S. Embassy Opening in Jerusalem Tomorrow
EU attempted to issue a statement condemning the move but was overruled by EU members Hungary, the Czech Republic and Romania

08.05.2018
Ministry of Transportation Implements Stringent Laws and Penalties for Electric Bike Riders
Laws require numerous safety measures including requiring helmets and markings on bikes, stipulates where one can ride, and imposes stiff fines for a dozen infractions

15.04.2018
Entry Restrictions to be Waived for Israeli Draftdodgers Living Abroad on Israel’s 70th Independence Day Celebrations
Israel’s Defense Forces will permit all Israeli citizens who did not arrange their military status until now, to enter and leave Israel over a period of 1 1/2 months without risking detention

28.03.2018
Breakthrough: Ben Gurion Passengers Will Soon Be Able to Pay All Taxis by Credit Card
The new payment arrangement is slated to begin on April 22, 2018

18.03.2018
What to Know About Your Rav Kav Bus Card
Beginning March 8, new rules concerning buying and recharging one’s personal Rav Kav (bus card) have come into force

04.03.2018
Good News: The Ceiling on Customs Exemptions for Personal Imports is About to Double
The present import limit for consumers will increase from $500 to $1,000

18.02.2018
Revolutionary Changes in Regulations for Foreign Driver’s License Owners in 2018
The Transportation Ministry has kept its promise to ease the existing regulations for foreigners and Israelis who have foreign driver’s licenses

24.01.2018
"Israel Shortcut" Working for You and Making a Difference!
New Transportation Ministry drivers’ license regulation s takes in consideration foreigners in Israel

18.01.2018
Property Tax Discounts Announced for Earners of Up to 5000 NIS
The discount is the Interior Ministry’s Incentive for employees who had lost their property tax discounts because they earned the minimum wage
14.01.2018
Government Decides on Slight Reduction in Electricity Prices
The step was a result of a comprehensive study of Israeli Electric Company policies which showed excessive consumer fee charges for the development of the electric grid

01.01.2018
Israel’s Demographic and Immigration Trends
18% of Israel’s Demographic Increase Due to Immigration

20.12.2017
Politicians Line Up to Get Photo-Op with Teva Strikers
"Israeli Shortcut": Forget the fake concern and photo-ops; we want real results

14.12.2017
Wishing you a happy Chanukah
Chanukah greetings to foreign citizens from "Israeli Shortcut"

05.12.2017
Will the US Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel?
Although the US's recognition is welcome, many in Israel view it as a marginal matter.

04.12.2017
Positive Reply from the IDF to Clarify Policies Affecting Children of Israelis Living Abroad
The IDF letter to us emphasizes: “We intend to anchor the above military policies as soon as possible in the army legal ordinance.”
22.11.2017
Israel’s New Series of Banknotes to Be Distributed This Week
The new 20 and 100 NIS polymer banknotes come with a number of security measures making it among the hardest currencies to counterfeit in the world, Nevertheless, be prepared for the inevitable forgeries that will come

12.11.2017
Important Notice For All Returning Minors!!!
After learning of the injustice it perpetrated numerous times on returning minors, Bituach Leumi responded with a letter denying it.

05.11.2017
The Balfour Declaration - Are the Celebrations Justified?
Is the State of Israel truly the homeland of the Jewish People?

17.10.2017
Foreign Residents Run the Gauntlet to Open a Bank Account in Israel
Bank of Israel says it won’t intervene in the banks’ onerous requirements from a foreign resident residing in Israel who wants to open a bank account because they are based on the bank’s considerations of risk management.

25.09.2017
Holiday Greetings!!
The administration and staff of "Israeli Shortcut" wishes all our clients and website readers:
13.09.2017
Israeli Shortcut’s Advocacy Ends Bureaucratic Quagmire for Foreign Driver’s License Holders
The Transportation Ministry confirms they will implement major changes in the wake of Israeli Shortcut’s advocacy * After a lengthy correspondence between Israeli Shortcut’s legal department and senior ministry officials, a significant breakthrough was reached for holders of foreign driver’s licenses in Israel

06.09.2017
Surprising Breakthrough in Israeli Bureaucracy
Soon it will be possible to pay all government invoices at post offices with a credit card
28.08.2017
A Quirk Which Deprives a “Returning Minor” of His Health Benefits in Israel
Israeli Shortcut has discovered a glitch in Bituach Leumi’s regulations concerning the registration of a "returning minor."

30.07.2017
Israeli Shortcut’s Government Advocacy Department Letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu
The letter asks Netanyahu to assist in fulfilling the dream of foreign national Jews who want to remain living in Israel by reducing onerous bureaucracy and legal discrimination
27.07.2017
Great News For Immigrants and Returning Residents Who Want to Drive in Israel
Israeli Shortcut’s advocacy with the Ministry of Transport has born fruit and now new immigrants and returning residents with foreign driver's licenses will be able to immediately convert their foreign licenses to Israeli ones.

16.07.2017
What Could Be So Difficult About Updating a Foreign Citizen’s New Residential Address?
Foreign citizens who wish to update their residential address in Israel are often denied their legitimate right.

01.07.2017
Implications of the Transition to Biometric Documents for Foreign Citizens
Foreign citizens will now have a lengthy wait due to the new law requiring Israeli citizens to transition to biometric documents.

19.06.2017
Special Bureaucracy for Foreign Citizens is “Reasonable”?
The Water Authority says that the bureaucracy imposed on a foreign citizen is a “one-time action” and is reasonable and balanced.

07.06.2017
Why is the Law Concerning Foreign Citizens So Unclear?
Ministry of Transport: True, the law was formulated vaguely and it leaves a gray area, but that’s no reason to correct it.

17.05.2017
Israeli Bureaucracy Again Impinging on Foreign Citizens Regarding Water Charges
Why are the water corporations imposing more stringent requirements on foreign citizens than Israelis?

11.05.2017
Only a Few Foreign Citizens Live in Israel?!!
That’s why the Tax Authority believes there is no point in changing the law that gives tax benefits to immigrants to include foreign citizens!

15.04.2017
Ongoing Negotiations with the City Ombudsman Over Property Tax Issues for Chutznikim
Israeli Shortcut has galvanized the City’s Ombudsman to find a solution for property tax discounts for chutznikim who are not Israeli citizens

28.03.2017
Transportation Ministry to Remind Transportation Operators About Discounts for Chutznikim in Israel
In reply to Israeli Shortcut’s request, the Ministry of Transportation gave instructions to public transportation operators to immediately implement regulations that confer eligibility for discounts on foreign passport holders

28.02.2017
How the Law Extorts Foreigners
If you are not an Israeli citizen but you live in Israel 183 days of the year, you have to pay Israeli taxes on your foreign income
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20.02.2017
End Jerusalem Municipality’s Collective Punishment of Its Foreign Residents!
The municipality demands far stricter compliance concerning the income tax deduction of the property tax from its residents who are foreign citizens than Israeli residents of the capital * And this despite a whopping 40% of the capital’s residents who are foreign nationals!

12.02.2017
Threatened With Being Drafted to the Israeli Army When You Came to Study in Israel — Despite Having Given Up Your Israeli Citizenship?
If one of your parents is Israeli, you were born and lived abroad and you want to cancel your Israeli citizenship, you may still find yourself being forcibly drafted into the Israeli army

07.02.2017
Don’t Rely on Government Releases!
Israeli Shortcut has been in contact with numerous government offices for the sake of improving regulations and ending legal lacuna for the benefit of foreign citizens living in Israel.

05.02.2017
Working With Civil Servants to Assist Foreign Citizens Living in Israel
Israeli Shortcut is utilizing all possible means to galvanize civil servants to help the population of foreign citizens living in Israel.

02.02.2017
Tourist, Returning Resident, Immigrant — You May Discover Tomorrow That You Committed a Crime
The Ministry of Transport has been negligent in amending serious legal lacunae (a gap in the law) prevalent in the drivers’ license laws for immigrants, returning residents and tourists/foreign citizens.

31.01.2017
Bank of Israel Continues to Impose Onerous Restrictions on Accounts of Foreign Citizens Who Are Israeli Residents
Israeli Shortcut recently petitioned the Bank of Israel’s Supervisor of Banks seeking clarification regarding bank rules that discriminate against foreign citizens living in Israel who want to open bank accounts. Not only the Bank of Israel didn’t respond, we found that bank restrictions had become worse.

30.01.2017
Israeli Shortcut Endorses the Jerusalem Municipality Strike for More Government Funds
In addition to being Israel’s largest city, with a greater population than Tel Aviv and Haifa combined, Jerusalem has the country’s largest foreign national population and attracts millions of tourists and students every year which puts a heavy strain on the city’s finances
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12.01.2017
The Caucus on Behalf of Foreign Citizens Swings Into Action
Israeli Shortcut has opened talks with heads of parliamentary parties and MKs to promote the establishment of a caucus on behalf of foreign citizens
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02.01.2017
Can We Prevent the Next Tragedy?
The terrible tragedy which occurred in Jerusalem this week has focused the public’s attention on the integration difficulties experienced by immigrants in Israel.

26.12.2016
Israeli Shortcut’s Efforts to Amend Legislation and Regulations for Foreign Citizens
The inclement winter has not stopped Israeli Shortcut from working tirelessly with the government and other authorities to promote legislation and regulations on behalf of foreign citizens and immigrants to assist them during their stay in Israel.

21.12.2016
Scandalous: Jerusalem District Administration Does Not Recognize Foreign Citizens as Jerusalem Residents
The District Director: "Our inspection shows that recipients of your organization’s services are not Jerusalem residents according to the Population Registry records"

19.12.2016
Denied: The Right of Foreign Citizens Living in Israel to Collect Their Grants and Savings.
Meet the Israeli residents who are unable to collect their bonuses and stipends.

08.12.2016
Transportation Ministry: Foreign Residents Now Eligible for Discounts in Israel on Public Transportation
Foreign nationals eligible for the discount include the disabled, elderly (over 60 years), students, and youths

14.09.2016
Israel Shortcut’s Survey: the Jerusalem Municipality Delivers Claims Against Foreign Citizens in Hebrew Only
Continuous requests by defendants who explained to the Jerusalem municipality that they don’t speak Hebrew were ignored by the municipality

11.08.2016
New from Gihon Water Company: Invoices in English
After numerous complaints and appeals by customers, and after an official request from 'Israeli Shortcut”, Gihon Company now offers invoices in English upon request.

09.08.2016
IDF to Re-Examine Its Draft Policy Concerning Foreign Students With Israeli Citizenship
The Defense Ministry said that he would consider anew the issue of the "Torah is his vocation" deferment for yeshiva students from abroad who have Israeli citizenship, following a report written by Israeli Shortcut association that appeared in Bechadrei Chadorim.

28.06.2016
Foreign Nationals: Does Jerusalem Consider them Residents
It depends on who you ask. According to recent findings it would appear that the Jerusalem Municipality does not consider residents without Israeli Identity Cards to be true residents.

22.06.2016
Good News for Thousands Of Yeshiva Students From Abroad: 'Student' Status Can Now Be Obtained at Israeli Consulates Abroad
Due to Interior Minister Rabbi Aryeh Deri’s efforts, the discrimination has come to an end. Israeli consulates abroad will now arrange the student status of yeshiva students from abroad before they come to study in the country.

21.06.2016
For the First Time in Israel - a Law to Establish an Immigrant Day
The Law to Establish an Immigrant Day passed a second and third reading in the Knesset.

10.06.2016
Some Yeshiva Bachurim are Vulnerable to the Draft
It has become clear that there are still holes in the draft laws regarding Bnei Yeshiva which leave both Ben Mehagrim and the children of Israelis living abroad vulnerable to the draft.

02.06.2016
Good news for immigrants:
The proposed bill by MK Itzik Shmueli will allow the elderly, new immigrants and the handicapped to cancel transactions by peddling and remote sales within 4 months - instead of within 14 days as established under the current law
20.04.2016
Those whose request for a property tax discount was rejected.
You are foreign residents and your application to get a 2014 property tax discount from the Jerusalem municipality was rejected.
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05.04.2016
Purim Joy 2016
Israeli Shortcut made a party for all the foreign students in the holy city of Jerusalem this past Purim

17.02.2016
The Lobby to Promote the Immigration and Absorption of French-speaking Jews Meets at the Knesset
The Lobby to Promote the Immigration and Absorption of French-speaking Jews Meets at the Knesset