Sudanese in Israel
Sudanese refugees in Israel refers to citizens of Sudan who have sought refuge in Israel due to military conflict at home, and to those who moved there illegally as migrant workers. In 2008, there were 4,000 Sudanese in Israel, 1,200 from Darfur and the remainder Christians from South Sudan. The majority entered through the Israeli-Egypt border. Most live in Tel Aviv, Arad, Eilat[1] and Bnei Brak.[2]
History
The civil wars in Sudan that have been taking place on and off since 1955, the subsequent destabilization and economic collapse caused by the country's infrastructure and economy, and the fighting in Darfur, forced millions of Sudanese civilians to flee their homes and cities.[3] In 2006, largely owing to the extensive flow of Sudanese and
The increase in Sudanese entries to Israel since 2006 is attributed to a demonstration by Sudanese
In 2008–2009, around 30 migrants were shot and killed by Egyptian security forces as they attempted to cross into Israel.
In 2012, due to a near-doubling in the flow of African seeking refugee status, Israel began building a fence along the border and publicized plans to build a detention facility for infiltrators.[5]
In spite of the risks and abusive treatment by smugglers, smuggler networks run by Bedouin groups in the Sinai desert have transported growing numbers of Sudanese and other African asylum seekers across to Israel.[4]
Legal status
Israel supported the founding of the
Following pressure from UNHCR, a temporary humanitarian protection arrangement was established in 1999, benefiting refugees from war-torn countries in Africa. In 2002, an Israeli asylum procedure was established with the launch of the National Status Granting Body, an inter-ministerial agency responsible for assessing asylum applications processed by UNHCR Israel, advising the minister of the interior, who held the authority on final decisions.[4]
However, Israeli authorities have yet to devise and implement a clear
Among Sudanese refugees in Israel, 850 are asking for asylum from persecution in Sudan, including 200 children.
At the same time, Israeli authorities have partnered with UNHCR in Israel to grant some form of temporary protection for thousands of asylum seekers, even granting them access to social services and allowing them to work.[4] Although Israelis are legally barred from employing Sudanese asylum seekers, the ban is not enforced, as it is in the authorities' interest for asylum seekers to support themselves financially.[9]
According to a
, they can legally work in Israel.In February 2015, the government provided figures to the High Court regarding requests for asylum from Sudanese citizens.
Reactions in Israel
There is a mixed reaction in Israel: Large protests have been organized mainly by citizens of neighborhoods in South Tel Aviv who claim that their safety and life quality was ruined by the presence of illegal immigrants from Sudan and Eritrea.[13][14] Also, there have been demonstrations in support of the refugees.[15]
Recent trends
This section needs to be updated.(February 2019) |
According to the
In February 2012, Israel's Interior Ministry announced that South Sudanese nationals must repatriate by March, arguing they no longer need protection since South Sudan gained independence. They will be given $1,300 and a plane ticket if they voluntarily resettle, but any who do not repatriate will be deported.[16]
As of March 2021, there were about 6,200 Sudanese migrants in Israel.[17] The Israeli and Sudanese governments discussed the potential return of migrants to Sudan after their normalization agreement.[17]
See also
- Refugees of Sudan
- Illegal immigration from Africa to Israel
- Sudanese refugees in Egypt
- Sudanese refugees in Chad
- Refugee § African refugees in Israel
- International response to the War in Darfur
- Refugee kidnappings in Sinai
- Usumain Baraka
References
- ^ Refugees background paper. Sites.google.com. Retrieved on 13 May 2013. (Hebrew)
- ^ Lior, Ilan. (30 November 2010) Ultra-Orthodox town of Bnei Brak moves to evict migrant workers. Haaretz.com. Retrieved on 13 May 2013.
- ^ Global Statistics Archived 11 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. Retrieved on 13 May 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Afeef, Karin (December 2009). "A promised land for refugees? Asylum and migration in Israel". International Peace Research Institute.
- ^ a b c "Egypt turmoil cuts African migration to Israel". Haaretz. Reuters. 1 March 2011.
- ^ Weiler-Polak, Dana (24 February 2011). "Sinai smugglers raped dozens of African women wanting to enter Israel". Haaretz.
- ^ Weiler-Polak, Dana (23 February 2011). "Majority of asylum-seekers in Israel are seriously abused in Sinai". Haaretz.
- ^ "ילדים סודנים המבקשים מקלט בישראל". Archived from the original on 9 December 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link). knesset.gov.il - ^ Weiler-Polak, Dana (10 March 2011). "African refugees hired to build fence to keep migrants out of Israel". Haaretz.
- ^ בג"צ קבע: אסור לקנוס מעסיקי פליטים. News.walla.co.il. Retrieved on 13 May 2013.
- ^ Supreme court resolution. Elyon1.court.gov.il. Retrieved on 13 May 2013.
- ^ a b c d Ilan Lior (19 February 2015). "Israel has granted refugee status to only four Sudanese and Eritrean asylum seekers". Haaretz.
- ^ Arad residents protest against refugees. Ynet.co.il (20 June 1995). Retrieved on 13 May 2013.
- ^ Lior, Ilan (22 December 2010) Hundreds protest against the presence of foreigners, refugees in south Tel Aviv, Haaretz
- ^ African Refugees Protest in Israel Archived 29 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Allvoices.com (24 December 2010). Retrieved on 13 May 2013.
- ^ "South Sudanese refugees must leave Israel". The Global News Service of the Jewish People. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
- ^ a b Harkov, Lahav (21 March 2021). "Netanyahu fixates on African migrants – but Likud has no policy". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
External links
- Faces of Exile Archived 8 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine, A HIAS Israel website featuring narrative testimony of asylum seekers
- Until our hearts are completely hardened, Report on asylum procedures in Israel, Hotline for Refugees and Migrants, April 2012
- Sudanese Refugees in Israel
- The Association of Sudanese Refugees in Israel Facebook community
- Refugees set their sights on Israel
- Plitim, refugees support voluntary association