Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Israel eases licensing rules for immigrant psychologists

Since the beginning of the year, about 50 psychologists have sought to make aliyah and work in the Jewish state.

Aliyah Flight France
Immigrants from France arrive on an “aliyah flight” at Ben-Gurion International Airport, Aug. 1, 2024. Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90.

The Israeli Cabinet approved on Sunday a proposal to ease licensing barriers for immigrant psychologists, allowing greater recognition of foreign studies, training and professional experience while maintaining Israeli professional standards.

Under the decision, professional committees at the Health Ministry will establish flexible criteria for recognizing degrees and training completed abroad, aiming to address shortages in mental health services and speed up integration into the Israeli healthcare system.

Since the beginning of the year, about 50 psychologists have sought to immigrate and work in Israel, alongside broader efforts that have already integrated more than 1,000 immigrant doctors into the health system in recent years.

“As a Jewish leader and longtime resident of the state of Washington, it’s appalling that the state would permit that sort of incitement to violence against American Jews masquerading as political speech in a state publication,” Robert Spitzer of B’nai B’rith told JNS.
“Anyone who calls the State of Israel an apartheid state has no right to set foot in the State of Israel,” one justice said.
It would be the seventh round of direct dialogue between the two countries, following meetings held in the Italian capital last week.
Roy Levy and Ariel Gal narrowly missed defending their world title after finishing tied on points with the eventual champions in Poland.
The building in Braunau am Inn had stood vacant since 2011, as authorities debated how to prevent it from attracting a far-right pilgrimage.
The Israeli mission had been extended at the request of Venezuelan leaders.