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Armenian politician's wife was denied Israeli visa
June 03, 2011 | 11:43
The spouse of famous Armenian politician was faced with bureaucratic
difficulties while trying to depart to Israel.
Professor of Yerevan conservatory Naira Khachaturyan, spouse of head
of Prosperous Armenia parliamentary group Aram Safaryan, had
difficulties while leaving Armenia for Israel.
`The consulate in Tbilisi we have to apply to since Israel has no
diplomatic mission in Armenia, said that Mrs. Khachaturyan should
receive an invitation from the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs,'
head of Armenia's Jewish community Rima Varzhapetyan told IzRus
website.
`I am ashamed, honestly. I do not blame the consulate, I do not
understand the approach of the State of Israel. Do they really think
that people like Naira Khachatryan will become illegal refugees?' she
wonders.
Check-up launched by the website revealed that it is not easy for
Armenian citizens to get Israeli visa. The inviting side (relatives,
travel agency, hospital, etc.) should send an invitation through the
Ministry of Internal Affairs, after which the person having all the
papers should contact the consulate in Tbilisi.
'Three categories of people go to Israel: pilgrims, those having
relatives or friends in Israel, as well as people wishing to receive
medical treatment,' Varzhapetyan explained.
However, often they fail to enter the country because of bureaucratic
snag. According to her, often consulate does not explain the refusal
of not granting a visa.
`As a chairman of the community, I call the consulate and guarantee
them that it is a respected woman. Spouse of an Armenian MP has no
intention to flee to Israel. But they do not listen,' noted
Varzhapetyan.
She noted that such attitude of the official Israel considerably
damages reputation of a small Jewish community (less than a thousand)
in Armenia.
June 03, 2011 | 11:43
The spouse of famous Armenian politician was faced with bureaucratic
difficulties while trying to depart to Israel.
Professor of Yerevan conservatory Naira Khachaturyan, spouse of head
of Prosperous Armenia parliamentary group Aram Safaryan, had
difficulties while leaving Armenia for Israel.
`The consulate in Tbilisi we have to apply to since Israel has no
diplomatic mission in Armenia, said that Mrs. Khachaturyan should
receive an invitation from the Israeli Ministry of Internal Affairs,'
head of Armenia's Jewish community Rima Varzhapetyan told IzRus
website.
`I am ashamed, honestly. I do not blame the consulate, I do not
understand the approach of the State of Israel. Do they really think
that people like Naira Khachatryan will become illegal refugees?' she
wonders.
Check-up launched by the website revealed that it is not easy for
Armenian citizens to get Israeli visa. The inviting side (relatives,
travel agency, hospital, etc.) should send an invitation through the
Ministry of Internal Affairs, after which the person having all the
papers should contact the consulate in Tbilisi.
'Three categories of people go to Israel: pilgrims, those having
relatives or friends in Israel, as well as people wishing to receive
medical treatment,' Varzhapetyan explained.
However, often they fail to enter the country because of bureaucratic
snag. According to her, often consulate does not explain the refusal
of not granting a visa.
`As a chairman of the community, I call the consulate and guarantee
them that it is a respected woman. Spouse of an Armenian MP has no
intention to flee to Israel. But they do not listen,' noted
Varzhapetyan.
She noted that such attitude of the official Israel considerably
damages reputation of a small Jewish community (less than a thousand)
in Armenia.