Israeli Court Grants Permanent Residency to National Handball Player After Years of Struggle

The Jerusalem District Court approved the appeal of Liza Kozmina, a member of Israel's national women's handball team, and her mother Oksana, granting them permanent residency in Israel on humanitarian grounds. The Population Authority had previously sought to deport them to Ukraine, but Judge Tamar Bar-Asher ruled that their connection to Israel had been underestimated and ordered the authority to grant their residency status.

Liza Kozmina expressed her relief and joy in an interview with N12, saying, "Now I can convert to Judaism and volunteer for the army, a dream come true." She described feeling as if she had been imprisoned for years and now finally belonging and having stability in Israel.

The court noted that the Population Authority had not interviewed Liza nor considered her status as a permanent resident. The judge accepted the welfare ministry representative's recommendation to approve their residency application. Four years ago, N12 reported on the Interior Ministry's decision to deport Liza and her mother amid the war in Ukraine, despite Liza's achievements as a top handball player.

Previously, Liza was unable to participate in international competitions due to her uncertain status and was barred from enlisting in the Israeli military, unlike her peers. With the court's decision, she can now receive permanent residency and pursue her goals in Israel.