The Israeli government maintains it has not changed its policy on immigrants infected with the virus that causes AIDS and that recent reports to the contrary were the result of “misinformation.”
Applicants for immigration to Israel must disclose on the routine health forms they fill out whether they are infected with HIV, a requirement that has been in place for nearly a year, said David Efrati, director of population administration in the Interior Ministry.
Applicants who are HIV-positive are not automatically barred entry to Israel, said Efrati. Instead, their applications are forwarded to the Interior Ministry, which decides whether to permit entry on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the Health Ministry.
So far, Efrati said, no cases have surfaced as a result of the policy.
Contrary to earlier reports, the HIV status disclosure requirement does not apply to those wishing to visit Israel as tourists, said Tova Elinson, a spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry.
Media reports that Israel had decided to bar most immigrants infected with HIV had sparked protests from the medical and civil rights communities in Israel. They had also generated concern in segments of the American Jewish community at a time when the Clinton administration has decided to reverse a ban on visitors and immigrants with AIDS.
But officials at the Orthodox-controlled Interior Ministry say those reports were erroneous and that media inaccuracies contributed to confusion about the issue.
Officials at the Health and Absorption ministries refused to comment on the matter and referred all inquiries to Interior.
POLICY IMPLEMENTED LAST YEAR
Elinson said the confusion apparently was caused by a recent decision of the health, absorption and interior ministers to re-examine the policy.
The re-examination was a follow-up to efforts by the former Likud government to tighten the regulations, she said.
In fact, the new ministers concluded that there is no need to alter the regulations, Efrati said. “We continue without a change in policy.”
The requirement that potential immigrants disclose their HIV status is merely an extension of health provisions in the Law of Return, which governs immigration to Israel, Efrati explained.
The Law of Return stipulates that Israel can deny entry to those who might endanger public health, said Efrati. He said the decision to add AIDS to the list of diseases in this category was made in 1991 and implemented last April.
As a result of the policy implemented last spring, the Jewish Agency has instructed its emissaries for the past several months to include the question about HIV infection on their medical forms, said agency spokesman Yehuda Weinraub.
As recently as two weeks ago, the uncertainty surrounding Israel’s policy warranted a public clarification by the Interior Ministry.
Included in the clarification was a new requirement that applicants for work permits in Israel submit the results of an HIV test to their employers before being issued the permits.
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