Israel gets tough on asylum seekers

[azurnoir]

An "infiltration" law, the first draft of which has passed through parliament, is up for approval in the coming weeks despite efforts by NGOs to stop it. If approved, the law will regard anyone illegally entering the country as a criminal, and will allow a sentence of up to seven years for any asylum-seeker from an "enemy" country.

"Enemy" countries are Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Libya. However, very few if any asylum-seekers try to enter Israel from all but the first three of these countries. Almost all enter via Egypt.

<snip>

Under the plan, basic accommodation would be provided for asylum-seekers in camps in Israel's southern Negev desert and the Arava region. They would be given food, shelter and basic medical care in return for unpaid work, mainly in agriculture.

Asylum-seekers would be forced to stay in the camps until their status is determined, though it is unclear what would happen to those not granted refugee status. Israel does not allow Southern Sudanese and Eritreans (the bulk of asylum-seekers) access to refugee status determination.

"This will deter those so-called asylum-seekers from coming here," a member of the Israeli government told IRIN on condition of anonymity. "They are not refugees, they are simply migrant workers using the refugee story to get work, medical care and free education for their children in Israel. We believe that over 80 percent are not refugees."

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=238873

[oberliner]

1. Why do these Sudanese and Somalians attempt to enter Israel?

If they've made it to Egypt, why not just seek asylum there?

[Violet_Crumble]

2. The same reason Sri-Lankan refugees attempt to enter Australia...

It doesn't take a degree in rocket science to work out why...

[LeftishBrit]

4. Probably because Egypt is even worse with regard to asylum seekers?

[LeftishBrit]

3. Sigh. Israel is getting to be more and more like Britain in entirely the wrong way.

[Scurrilous]

5. Israel's 'hot return' of Sudan refugees prompts UN concern

<snip>

"The Supreme Court is currently discussing a case that concerns Israel's practice of immediately returning asylum seekers who cross from Egypt into Israel back across the border.

It appears that in so doing, Israel may be violating international law, according to a position paper submitted to the court by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees.

The lawsuit in question was originally filed in 2007 by several human rights organizations represented by the Hotline for Migrant Workers and the refugee rights project of Tel Aviv University.

The immediate or "hot return" policy, as it is called, allows Israel Defense Force soldiers to return infiltrators to a neighboring country if 24 hours have not elapsed since their entry, and as long as they have not gone further than 50 kilometers from the Israeli border.

The UN High Commission's position in the case is that, due to the conditions in Egypt, and until there a formal agreement that is honored in full between Egypt and Israel, which provides sufficient assurances to asylum seekers who are sent back over the border - the State of Israel is not fulfilling its obligations according to international law, by using the "hot" or "coordinated return" practice.

In the first nine months of this year, according to data presented by the state at the hearings, and pursuant to its return policy, Israel has dispatched 217 people across the border."

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