Wanted and unwanted people - two articles in Haaretz

A new episode of deportations of migrant workers is starting in Israel once again, protests against the mass deportations were taking place in Tel Aviv yesterday. The Haaretz newspaper published two articles about immigration and refugees/migrant workers. 3000 new jewish immigrants are more than welcome in the difficult times while several thousands of "illegal" migrant workers face deportation. The israeli government is planning to launch a new law series against refugees who enter Israel through the desert (mostly from Sudan). They will be recognised as enemy infiltraters and those who help or support them will be criminilased as well with long prison sentences. That would put organisations like PHR-Israel on the list of criminals, because they run an open clinic for refugees and migrant workers in Yaffo.
The new right wing government increased several prices and invented new taxes on basic food itmes, health and other areas widening the gap between rich and poor. For this it will be very convenient to know about so many enemies surrounding and entering the country and just add some more by redefining refugees as enemies as well. Probably the EU will gladly assist in border security and "managment of refugees" and how to use "save third countries". Its one of the most experienced parts of EU policy how to get rid of unwanted people and buy off save countries like Lybia, Tunesia, Algeria and Marokko to treat refugees in a way that they won't dare to dream about entering the EU. Refugee policy of the EU is one of the highlights of human rights in the world.


Israel braces for influx of new immigrants this summer
By Jonathan Lis
After years of decline in immigration, Israel is expected this year to absorb 15 percent more new arrivals than last year, thanks in part to 20 flights arriving this summer carrying 5,000 immigrants from North America, France, Great Britain, South Africa and beyond. Of these, some 3,000 immigrants will arrive on organized flights run jointly by the Jewish Agency and Nefesh B'Nefesh. Around 2,000 are expected from the United States and Canada.

New immigrants in 2007, very welcome.

Around 200 immigrants are expected to arrive from both France and Great Britain respectively, 130 from South Africa, and 100 from countries in Latin America. Some 250 Ethiopians recently recognized as Jews by rabbinical authorities will also immigrate. All of the immigrants participating in the program will come in on special flights, including, for the first time, a flight designated for immigrants from Brazil. The first such flight will land in Israel on Tuesday. For years, Nefesh B'Nefesh and the Jewish Agency had competed for control of promoting immigration from North America, until signing an agreement last year stipulating that Nefesh B'Nefesh would be responsible for locating prospective immigrants and escorting them to Israel, while the Jewish Agency would fund their arrival and absorption. Absorption figures have been in steady decline since 2000. Last year, only 16,500 immigrants arrived in the country, the lowest number since the start of the massive immigration wave from the former Soviet Union in the 1990s. Eli Cohen, head of the Jewish Agency's department for immigration and absorption, cited the worldwide economic crisis as the primary motivator for the spike in immigration. "Israel is perceived as an island of stability compared with other places," he said.

Of illegals and refugees
By Nurit Wurgaft
"Legal" foreign worker: Someone with a valid work permit. Currently number about 100,000 in Israel. Eligible for minimum wage and such social benefits as private health insurance and severance pay, and entitled to have employer provide minimal living conditions. "Illegal" foreign worker: Lacks a work permit and risks deportation from Israel. His employer is liable to be fined. These workers, estimated to number 120,000, are entitled to minimum wage and social benefits, but these do not include health insurance or room and board. Asylum seeker: A person claiming to be persecuted in his homeland, and seeking to obtain refugee status. He may not be deported from Israel but, unlike in the past, he will not receive a work permit. Anyone who employs him may be subject to a fine, with the exception of certain areas of the country. Their number in Israel is estimated at 17,000. Refugee: Someone recognized as such by government decision or in accordance with the Geneva Convention on Refugees. Considered a temporary resident and therefore eligible for an Israeli ID card and the same rights as a citizen, with the exception of the right to vote and to be elected to the Knesset. Since the founding of the state, only several hundred people have been recognized as refugees in Israel.

Protest of Sudanese refugees and supporters in Tel Aviv

Refugee with Temporary Protection: One seeking asylum from countries the UN has defined as dangerous (usually because of wars going on there), and thereby eligible for temporary work and residency permits. In Israel there are 275 people with this status, all from Congo. The Immigration Authority will begin operations on July 1. It has 1,800 employees. Of these, 150 are charged with enforcing labor laws with employers; 200 inspectors will replace immigration police officers and conduct arrests; 70 will be part of the unit that interviews refugees and is responsible for examining their requests and granting residency permits; 550 are employees of the Population Administration, responsible for identifying illegal residents and issuing deportation orders.