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.