Widow of Israeli Kibbutz Massacre Victim Denied Return to Attend Family Wedding

Jubel Santiago Castalbi, a Filipino caregiver whose husband, Paul Vincent Castalbi, was murdered by Hamas militants on October 7 in Kibbutz Be'eri, is being denied permission by Israeli authorities to return to Israel. At the time of the attack, Jubel was nine months pregnant and hiding in a safe room at Kibbutz Or Haner, where she survived. Her husband, also a caregiver, was killed while protecting his patient, Avitar Kipnis, who was also murdered alongside his wife, Lilach.

Jubel gave birth to their son, Jayzen Paul, on November 3 in the Philippines, where she currently resides. Despite being recognized by Israel as a widow of a terror victim, she has been refused entry to attend the wedding of Nadav Kipnis and Sharon Lavon, whose families were also deeply affected by the October 7 massacre. Nadav lost both parents in the attack, and Sharon is expecting their child. The couple invited Jubel to their September wedding, but Israeli Population and Immigration Authority officials initially denied her return, later demanding a 100,000 shekel bond before considering her entry.

Jubel’s lawyer, Michal Pomerantz, condemned the refusal as "insensitivity and lack of empathy," emphasizing that Jubel needs to be physically present in Israel to access rights and benefits due to her status. The family and friends have maintained close contact with Jubel, but the bureaucratic hurdles have left them exhausted and frustrated. Jubel expressed her deep disappointment, stating that Israel was her support system after her husband’s death and that she hoped to settle in Israel with her son. The Population and Immigration Authority explained that her current request to settle in Israel does not meet procedural requirements, but an appeal is under serious review.