Hundreds of Palestinian Caregivers Expelled From Israeli Nursing Homes

Hundreds of Palestinian caregivers working in Israeli nursing homes were forced to leave their jobs and return to their homes in the West Bank over the past two days. They received notifications stating their residency permits had expired and that failure to confirm their departure via an app could lead to sanctions. Many left immediately, fearing repercussions and future entry bans.

The expulsions coincide with a general closure imposed on the West Bank during the Sukkot holiday, a security measure based on an assessment of the security situation. However, the order affected caregivers in nursing facilities, some of whom are considered essential workers and should have been exempt from such restrictions.

Families of residents at one nursing home were informed by the Ministry of Defense that "immediately all Palestinian caregivers, except for a small number, are required to leave the country until further notice." The notification acknowledged the resulting staff shortage and stated that management and remaining staff would provide increased support, but did not explain the reason for the immediate expulsion.

Nursing home managers and families of residents expressed anger over the expulsions, warning of "devastating consequences for the care of the elderly" and a significant strain on remaining staff. They noted that even during previous closures, essential healthcare workers were typically exempted. Managers are now demanding the immediate return of the caregivers.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) stated the action was in line with security assessments and a directive from Defense Minister Israel Katz. COGAT confirmed a general closure on the West Bank during the holiday, with exceptions only for humanitarian, medical, and other approved cases. While COGAT acknowledged approving an exemption list for essential healthcare workers submitted by the Ministry of Health, it did not clarify why the hundreds of nursing home caregivers were expelled or why the exemption did not apply to them.