Israel: Information on access to shelters and other support mechanisms for Russian Christian women
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 April 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ISR17205.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Israel: Information on access to shelters and other support mechanisms for Russian Christian women, 1 April 1994, ISR17205.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab623c.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A representative of the Association for Civil Rights in Tel Aviv stated that to the best of his knowledge, Christian women in Israel are not denied access to women's shelters or other women's support services (28 Apr. 1994). The source was unable to provide additional information.
According to a representative of the Tel Aviv branch of the Women's International Zionist Organization which runs women's shelters and other support services, there are only six major women's shelters in Israel (28 Apr. 1994). The representative stated that two of these are exclusively for Arab women while the remaining four, although Jewish, accept women from all societies, including Arabs and Christians. She stated that there are no shelters in Israel exclusively for Christian women (ibid).
The source said that women are admitted to shelters on the condition that they are not alcohol or drug abusers or prostitutes. She stated that women must be 18 or 19 years of age to be admitted, and that although exceptions are made, most shelters will not accept a woman with more than three children (ibid.).
The representative stated that women's shelters have to be selective since demand greatly exceeds the supply of available beds. She stated that Israeli shelters generally do not accept "walk-ins," and that if a woman needs assistance, she must first call the shelter and be interviewed by a social worker. The source stated that a woman could be admitted hours, days or weeks later.
The source stated that the vast majority of women seeking assistance through shelters in Israel or through her organization's help hotline, for example, are Muslim or Jewish. She said that very few Christians have made use of the hotline or have been through Israel's shelters (ibid).
She added that Orthodox Jewish laws and customs often dictate the nature of a particular shelter's regulations, and as a result, Christian women who do go to shelters will "have more problems" and "will have difficulties." The representative stated that Christian women present unique problems for counsellors, who provide them with legal or other assistance, and that shelter personnel must deal with the problems of these women "separately" (ibid).
For additional information on the situation facing women in distress in Israel, please refer to the attached documents.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Association for Civil Rights, Tel Aviv. 28 April 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Women's International Zionist Organization, Tel Aviv. 28 April 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Attachments
The Associated Press. 27 January 1994. Am Cycle. Dan Perry. "Israel's Embarrassment of Riches: No Need For Jewish Charity?" (NEXIS)
The Houston Chronical. 17 March 1994. Two Star Edition. Shyam Bhatia. "Battered Arab Wives Find Some Support From Israeli Women." (NEXIS)
The Jerusalem Post. 13 April 1994. Sasha Sadan. "Seminar Focuses on Police Handling of Wife Beating." (NEXIS)
. 23 November 1993. "Shelters for Battered Arab Women Opened." (NEXIS)
. 8 October 1993. "Andrea Barron. "A Home of Their Own in a Battered Women's Shelter for Arabs." (NEXIS)
The Jewish Advocate. 14 October 1993. Erica G. Silverstein. "Jewish Community Takes a Stand on Domestic Violence." (NEXIS)
Jewish Journal. 18 November 1993. Cain M. Smilk. "Women's Group Focused on Battered Women Before it was Popular." (NEXIS)
The Status of Women in Israel: The Implementation of the Recommendations of the Israel Government Commission of Investigation. 1988. Edited by Miriam Benson and Dorit Harverd. Jerusalem: Israel Women's Network, pp. v-xi, 96-109.