Israel and Russia to launch visa-free travel as of Saturday

FM official: Implementing 'historic' agreement shows Israeli-Russian relations unaffected by war in Georgia.

By HERB KEINON
EL AL plane 2 298 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski )
EL AL plane 2 298
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski )
A generation after Russian Jews could end up in jail for even applying for a visa to Israel, all visa requirements for Israeli and Russian nationals traveling between their countries will be cancelled as of Saturday. Pinhas Avivi, the Foreign Ministry's deputy director-general for Russia and Eurasia, said at a press conference beamed to Moscow that the decision to do away with visa requirements was an "historic" development that will not only strengthen the tourist and economic ties between the two countries, but also help develop Russian-Israeli ties on all levels, including in the diplomatic realm. That the agreement goes into effect now, Israeli diplomatic officials said, shows that tension stemming from the war in Georgia has not impacted the Israeli-Russian relationship. The actual agreement to cancel the visa requirements was signed in March during a visit here by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Until now, the visa requirement made visiting both countries a process that was expensive and often lengthy. Russians interested in visiting Israel either had to travel to the embassy in Moscow to get the visa, or have their travel agents do it - a procedure that could take between a week to four months, and which substantially increased the price of a ticket. Israel Beitenu head Avigdor Lieberman was instrumental in pushing the change through the government, over objections that the lack of visa requirements from Russia would make it easier for Russian criminal elements to come into the country. The counter argument - and one that prevailed - was that this move would significantly increase Russian tourism to Israel.