Israel Passes 'Harsh' Immigration Law (Video)

A law which could lead to the indefinite detention of asylum seekers has been passed by the Israeli parliament.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted for the bill, which his spokesman called part of a “multitiered strategy to deal with the challenge of illegal immigration to Israel.”

The bill has been sharply criticized by refugee advocates, and is seen as targeting some 50,000 Africans who have entered Israel illegally since 2005, according to Israeli government estimates.

And in a country built by refugees, it has caused some soul-searching with the conservative Jerusalem Post in a November 11 Editorial saying:

Now with a sovereign country of its own the Jewish people must not only serve as a moral example of how developed countries should deal with refugees and asylum-seekers, but also make sure that a strong Jewish majority is maintained in a sovereign Jewish state.

The law is the first one dealing with refugees – until now they have been managed under an emergency law from 1954.

The amended law will enable the Israeli authorities to hold in administrative detention for up to three years migrant workers and asylum seekers with their children. This is not unusual, although harsh. Australia, for example, also holds asylum seekers in detention for long periods, although it is retreating from that policy because of the growing evidence that it produces serious mental harm. Contrary to that trend, the Israeli law’s proponents argued that long detention periods would deter refugees.

Anyone who is fleeing from a so-called “enemy” country can be held indefinitely. This can mean those refugees and their children fleeing genocide from the Darfur region of Sudan or gays fleeing Iraq. The law stipulates that persons originating from such countries or areas are not to be bailed from detention under any conditions.

Any refugee or migrant committing the most minor infraction of Israeli law could be jailed from three years to life.

“This is extremely irregular, because in Israel today it is legally impossible to keep a person in custody for years without putting him on trial and proving his guilt in a legal procedure,” Knesset legal advisor Eyal Yinon told the Constitution Committee last month.

The law will criminalize what it calls ‘irregular entry’ and makes no provision for those fleeing persecution.

It creates a summary removal procedure — within 72 hours — without giving the individual an adequate opportunity to challenge their deportation. There is no distinction made for how children will be treated.

The Justice Ministry had proposed that those aiding refugees could be criminally prosecuted — providing them with shelter could mean a prison sentence of between five and 15 years. That provision was amended at the last moment, so it no longer applies to organizations or people who provide humanitarian aid.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) has called the law:

“one of the most dangerous bills ever presented in the Knesset.”

Israeli activist Elizabeth Tsurkov wrote that:

The law is designed to target the weakest of the groups living in Israel – survivors of genocide, civil war, prolonged servitude, torture and rape – by using a law originally intended to combat armed saboteurs. Past attempts to pass this law (which was first drafted in 2006) were foiled due to a harsh public response. However, following years of systematic incitement against refugees by Israel government officials, the Israeli public now largely sees refugees as illegal migrants, undeserving of sympathy, and as a result, this inhumane law has now become reality.

The  Hebrew  Immigrant  Aid  Society,  a  critical  contributor  to  training  and  monitoring  the  Israeli i immigration  system,  recently withdrew its  presence  in  Israel  in  protest  of  Israeli  treatment  of  asylum  seekers.  The  US  Department  of  State  has  echoed  criticism  of  Israeli  treatment  of  asylum  seekers,  condemning  a lack  of  legal  representation,  lack  of  interpretation,  in judicial hearings  and  extended  detention.

The Africans reaching Israel face appalling conditions on the way. NGO EveryOne Group reported only yesterday about 44 more Eritreans kidnapped for ransom in the Northern Sinai, including six children. They also reported that another African released by traffickers had then been tortured and shot in the leg by Egyptian police.

There have also been multiple, grisly reports of migrants in Egypt being targeted for body parts.

Video by STOP The Infiltration Prevention Law campaign – Hotline for Migrant Workers (Israel).

Related stories:

Israel Proposing Indefinite Detention of Refugees (Video)

Mental Harm Caused by Prolonged Immigration Detention

Migrants in Egypt Targeted For Body Parts

Read more: asylum seekers, Eritrea, israel, refugee, Refugee Convention, sudan, UNHCR

Photo by runran

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

David E.

3:49AM PST on Feb 7, 2012

Joan - How many of these asylum seekers are really asylum seekers or just illegals looking for a better life? I repeat for you - Before lecturing others look around and note how many illegal immigrants live in your apartment building, on your block, in your neighborhood, go to your schools and/or are members of your country club. In fact, how many are yours or your childrens friends? Stop being hypocrites .

If they are legitimently seeking asylum, they should get it in the first country they arrive which is Egypt. If they really are refugees, then the UN should take care of them and Western countries should open their doors. Israel has enough problems and cannot be responsible for an influx of illegals whether refugees or not. Now that South Sudan is an independent country, Israel has the right to send them back. Israel has taken responsibility of the many Jewish refugees which the rest of the world has ignored.

send a green star

Joan M.

2:55PM PST on Feb 4, 2012

I think this is wrong, what have these poor people done they are not responsible for the wars & famines that have devasted their countries, all they want is a place to stay, food to eat and a place to raise their children instead what they face is 3 years in prison. Now I know immigration is a tricky thing, but lets not close the doors on these people

2:35AM PST on Jan 16, 2012

The USA was also built on immigration, but not a free for all. Immigration must be legal. The Europeans were too lenient and now look at the mess they are in. Before criticising others look around and note how many illegal immigrants live in your apartment building, on your block, in your neighborhood, go to your schools and/or are members of your country club. In fact, how many are yours or your childrens friends? Stop being hypocrites .

Giovanna M.

11:41AM PST on Jan 14, 2012

All immigration issues are complicated. Still it is shocking Israel is acting so. Not only was the ocuntry built for immigrants, they have an immigration tradition that goes back centuries. Maybe they should think whether their attitude differs so much to what they have complained has been done to them for so long. I'm sure Palestinians see them as forced immigrants too.

Bernard C.

1:57AM PST on Jan 13, 2012

So Mike Chrissie you seem to have a raging hard on for "Jews" in spite of all the left wing "Humanitarian - I'm a Christian and love everyone" hog was - tell me what are you doing about refugees in your neck of the woods? How many do you share your house with? How often do you go off to Washington DC to persuade your representative to tear down the US borders and let the world in? How many refugee air fares to the USA have you paid for recently? Have you got the guts to answer any of these questions?

Fred H.

7:42PM PST on Jan 12, 2012

I guess immigration is a problem which only affects those countries that people want to get INTO, rather than the ones which people want to escape from. Or to put it another way, I guess Israel's enemies don't have to worry about this sort of thing.

Marilyn L.

1:16PM PST on Jan 12, 2012

Cont'd
On the other hand, we can’t stick our heads in the sand and ignore the situations that immigration, in the current world, provides. They are many. How do you keep the thieves, criminals and terrorist out, while providing a safe home for those in need? How do you take care of those who have no skills, no money and do not speak the language of the land? How about education for their children? If we are going to have an immigration policy should it not have programs to deal with those situations I just mention? Should there be some kind of cap for the number of immigrants from each country, along with emergency provisions for those whose lives are endangers? Should the immigration population be shared among countries in a proportionate method, smaller countries and larger countries taken their fair share; and what do we do about the inequities existing? Should those immigrating to a large country like the United States be told where they will be living so that the costs and the immigrant population are share more proportionately? And there are many more questions. Our governments must understand that this is not an American, Canadian, Western problem it is a world problem and it must be handle by the world body and leadership. And we know the root cause is not going to be solved by immigration alone. Immigration should be a short-term solution, fixing the root cause(s) should be our short AND long term goal.

1:14PM PST on Jan 12, 2012

Ranting and raving about immigrants will not solve the problem anymore than extreme measures like this new law in Israel. Countries seem to be trying to deal with an old issue that has compounded itself through the centuries will old solutions. We live in a different world and we need new questions and answers that will be humane, fair, a partnership, trustworthy and good for the individual, his/her family and their new country. We need to look at the situation around the world and question why. Why do so many want to leave their homes for a foreign country where they don't know the culture, language, and in many cases a ways and means of support financially or emotionally? Think about it. Take yourself as an example and asked yourself why would you leave the country of your birth? And if you HAD to leave because of a threat, where would you go? How would you get there and what would you do once you were there? Believe me, it’s hard trying to put you in the immigrant’s shoes; it takes one to be willing to take a long look at themselves and their beliefs. I have been trying to do this, because of my feelings about illegal immigration and because my grandparents were immigrants; some Jewish fleeing pogroms. The questions are hard, the answers will vary. It is true if one is to have a free society that society must be governed by laws, but those laws must be just and humane.

surjit k.

12:43PM PST on Jan 12, 2012

Parvez Z." Israel GOVT is acting and behaving like Nazi regime and their action are worst than Hitler and Gestapo just.... are also pert of NAZI regime " You are fine one to talk of Nazis? Do you know who the real NAZIS were are are? see www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com and you will know the truth for once and all. Any country has the right to make Immigration Laws to protect its citizens and the country. No matter which one it is, including Israel. If USA can't make Immigration Laws then don't criticize Israel.
Parvez Z. Please after reading the website come back and tell us ' Who the real NAZIS are?

Rob and Jay B.

12:33PM PST on Jan 12, 2012

Here's a current article on C2NN about a Ugandan Muslim convert to Christianity who his good Muslim 'brothers' have been trying to kill, as Mohammed commanded, for leaving peaceful, tolerant Islam. His face has been virtually burned off with acid, the new weapon of choice of the Islamists. He has been given asylum in Israel & praises the treatment he's received their:

http://www.care2.com/news/member/887020535/3066419