MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) to (c) : It has come to the notice of the Indian Mission from the Israeli
authorities that a 50 member Indian tourist group from Kerala visited Israel on September 22,
2010. Facts ascertained so far reveal that the group traveled through Doha and Amman before
crossing over to Israel by road. Some of the group members, the Mission met, stated that they
had paid an Indian agent who assured them a three month visa to Israel, promising an extension
of the same on arrival. However the visa was changed by immigration to an 8 day tourist visa
and the agent reportedly abandoned the group.
The Immigration authorities have stated that 12 members were caught and deported on 6th and
13th of October 2010. A list of the members of the group is at Annexure-A. Another 11 members
were caught subsequently and are waiting for deportation. The names of 10 out of these 11
persons, available with the Indian Embassy, is at Annexure-B. It is understood that these
members were caught on their way to seeking refugee/asylum status with the concerned agencies.
They have hired a private lawyer for representing them.
They will be in the detention centre till their case is finalized by the Ministry of Interior of
Government of Israel. Consul from EOI, Tel Aviv visited the detainees who have informed of
good treatment meted out to them.
The remaining 27 members of the group are at large till date. As they do not have valid visas,
they would be deported on arrest.
(d) to (f): Such cases of Indian nationals being cheated by unscrupulous agents have occurred
before albeit not on this scale. Government has taken corrective measures to check such
malpractices including the following:
(i) Nation-wide awareness campaigns through media to educate intending emigrants about
legal emigration procedures, risk of illegal migration and precautions to be taken during
emigration.
(ii) Such instances are reported to the concerned State Government and Police authorities
for investigation and action.
(iii) The Government has established an Overseas Workers Resource Centre (OWRC) which is a
24 hour telephone helpline in seven languages to provide authentic information to all citizens
on all aspects of emigration.
