Israel aids Sudanese Refugees

Israel, a country beset with plenty of its own problems, has been troubled by incoming Sudanese refugees. The Israeli government announced Sunday that 498 refugees from the Darfur region who crossed into the country illegally through Egypt, will be allowed to stay. While this gesture demonstrates Israel’s contribution toward the crisis in Darfur, the country remains determined to deport all other African refugees. Like the Sudanese refugees, many come to Israel from dangerous parts of Africa via the Egyptian Sinai. Not only does the Israeli government want all other African refugees out, it wants them out quickly.  Prime Minister Enud Olmert met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak early this summer to establish a policy of ‘hot return’ under which illegal refugees are deported quickly across the Sinai border.

The Jerusalem Post quoted Olmert in a talk with ministers as saying, “I hope that people who cross into Israel illegally are not given permission by the courts to stay. Most of those arriving are migrant workers and we all know what the social implications would be if we allowed such people and their children to remain.”

However, the United Nations wants to ensure that deported refugees will not be endangered by being sent home. Representatives from Israel’s Interior and Defense Ministries will consult with representatives from the UN High Commission on Refugees before enacting deportations. We’ll see if policy and action work together to meet the desired ends

The Jerusaleum Post Story:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1189411468301&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

     

The Christian Science Monitor:  Darfur Conflict Spills Into Chad

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0925/p06s02-woaf.html

  

The Washington Post: Nomads Describe Persecution in Chad

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/23/AR2007092301178.html