The term, non-Jewish African refugees, primarily refers to the Sudanese and Eritrean refugee population migrating to Israel through the Sinai Desert. Israeli policy concerning these refugees has evolved from a policy of neutrality to a policy of deterrence.[1] These refugees began arriving in Israel in the 21st century, led by Bedouin smugglers.[2] The current non-Jewish African refugee population in Israel is approximately 36,000.[3]
Eritrean asylum seekers at Levinsky Park, Tel Aviv. January 8, 2014
Most non-Jewish African refugees have been granted "conditional release" visas, which are not valid work permits in Israel. Lack of a valid work permit severely limits their economic opportunities.[4] There was a case of a riot targeting African refugees in Tel Aviv, although the Israeli government has arrested and subsequently punished the perpetrators.[5]
Israeli citizens living in neighborhoods with large refugee populations have mixed attitudes towards them. Some have claimed refugees are "rapists" and "criminals", while others living in the same neighborhood described them as "peaceful" and "kind."[6] With tensions rising and shifting Israeli policy, both deterrence[7] and support for the refugees has increased.[8] Israeli policy toward African refugees have been heavily influenced by the advocacy and legal work of several nonprofits, including the Hotline for Refugees and Migrants, Kav LaOved, Association for Civil Rights in Israel, and others.
Prior to 2000, the Israeli government had not created any specific policies for handling incoming refugees. The determination of refugee status was outsourced to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Until 2006, there were no challenges to this system due to the low number of refugees.[9] Later, a new law was established in which the UNHCR would process asylum applications and send a recommendation to the Israeli National Status Granting Body, which was tasked with deciding refugee status.
Approved refugees received temporary residency and temporary work permits in Israel.[4] However, the Israeli government granted only 170 permits of this kind between 2002-2005. Moreover, individuals identified as "citizens of enemy states" were not allowed to seek asylum. This was the status of all Sudanese refugees in Israel since both countries have no diplomatic relations.[4]
The rapid increase in the number of Eritrean and Sudanese immigrants beginning in 2006 changed the Israeli policy towards refugees from these two countries. From then on, the Israeli government began to work towards creating an environment that would be undesirable to refugees.[4] However, in 2007, the Israeli government was still issuing three-month renewable "conditional release" visas, which allowed Eritrean and Sudanese refugees to work. Beginning 2010, all visas upon renewal were issued with a stamp indicating that "this visa is not a working permit."[4]
This policy ensured that refugees were protected from deportation to their countries of origin, but they could not legally work in Israel. Due to the precarious legal work status of refugees, they are often discriminated against for job opportunities and have to rely on infrequent jobs to make ends meet.[4]
2006–2008edit
Prior to 2006 and throughout 2007, Israeli policy was to detain all refugees from "enemy states" for months at a time. This policy was later discontinued.[9] In addition, there existed a policy to return refugees to the Sinai desert if they had crossed the border into Israel, but this policy was also ended later by the decision of the Israeli Supreme Court.[9]
2009–2014edit
In 2009, the Israeli government formed a Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Unit that works closely with the United Nations.[10] The Israeli Immigration and Border Authority processes all asylum requests and authorizes temporary group protection. Most of the Sudanese and Eritrean refugees fell into the latter category, a categorization that significantly delays registration as refugees.[9]
In 2012, Israel built a fence along their border with Egypt to deter the illegal migration of African refugees. The fence has significantly decreased the influx of Sudanese and Eritrean refugees into Israel.[11] Later that same year, an emergency plan was set in motion to deport refugees to their home countries. Voluntary deportees would be given an opportunity for self-removal and receive 1,000 Euro to assist in repatriation to their homelands.[12]
2015–2018edit
By 2015, the Israeli government began giving Sudanese and Eritrean refugees a choice to either return to their home countries, move to another state, or be imprisoned.[13] Many migrants lived in facilities such as Saharonim Prison and similar ones, where they are free to leave during the day, but must return at night or face imprisonment.[13]
During the spring of 2018, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached a deal with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to relocate many refugees into western nations over a period of five years. Israel agreed to grant temporary residency to those who remained.[14] The deal soon fell apart due to pressure from within Netanyahu's own government.[14]
Referencesedit
^AM, Yardena Schwartz On 10/13/15 at 10:54 (2015-10-13). "Non-Jewish Refugees Get a Cold Shoulder in Israel". Newsweek. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
^Furst-Nichols, Rebecca; Jacobsen, Karen (January 2011). "African Migration to Israel: Debt, Employment and Remittances" (PDF). Feinstein International Center: 1–20 – via Tufts University.
^Eglash, Ruth (2018-04-25). "Israel scraps contested plan to deport tens of thousands of African migrants". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
^ abcdefYaron, Hadas; Hashimshony-Yaffe, Nurit; Campbell, John (2013-04-15). ""Infiltrators" or Refugees? An Analysis of Israel's Policy Towards African Asylum-Seekers" (PDF). International Migration. 51 (4): 144–157. doi:10.1111/imig.12070. ISSN 0020-7985.
^"Violent Riots Target African Nationals Living In Israel". NPR.org. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
^"South Tel Aviv residents show mixed emotions about African refugee crisis". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
^"Israel to African refugees: You're not welcome here". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
^ abcdPaz, Yonathan (March 2011). "Ordered disorder: African asylum seekers in Israel and discursive challenges to an emerging refugee regime" (PDF). New Issues in Refugee Research. Research Paper No. 205: 1–21 – via United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
^Ben Zikri, Almog (March 20, 2018). "Netanyahu Defends Egypt Border Fence: Influx of African Migrants More Dangerous Than Terrorism". Haaretz.
^Hamilton, Douglas (June 11, 2012). "Israel rounds up African migrants for deportation". Reuters.
^ abBooth, William (May 14, 2015). "Israeli government to refugees: Go back to Africa or go to prison". The Washington Post.
^ abKershner, Isabel (April 2, 2018). "Israeli Leader Is Forced to Retreat on African Migrant Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-11-19.
October 28, 2023
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Main article African immigration to Israel The term non Jewish African refugees primarily refers to the Sudanese and Eritrean refugee population migrating to Israel through the Sinai Desert Israeli policy concerning these refugees has evolved from a policy of neutrality to a policy of deterrence 1 These refugees began arriving in Israel in the 21st century led by Bedouin smugglers 2 The current non Jewish African refugee population in Israel is approximately 36 000 3 Eritrean asylum seekers at Levinsky Park Tel Aviv January 8 2014Most non Jewish African refugees have been granted conditional release visas which are not valid work permits in Israel Lack of a valid work permit severely limits their economic opportunities 4 There was a case of a riot targeting African refugees in Tel Aviv although the Israeli government has arrested and subsequently punished the perpetrators 5 Israeli citizens living in neighborhoods with large refugee populations have mixed attitudes towards them Some have claimed refugees are rapists and criminals while others living in the same neighborhood described them as peaceful and kind 6 With tensions rising and shifting Israeli policy both deterrence 7 and support for the refugees has increased 8 Israeli policy toward African refugees have been heavily influenced by the advocacy and legal work of several nonprofits including the Hotline for Refugees and Migrants Kav LaOved Association for Civil Rights in Israel and others Contents 1 2000 2006 2 2006 2008 3 2009 2014 4 2015 2018 5 References2000 2006 editPrior to 2000 the Israeli government had not created any specific policies for handling incoming refugees The determination of refugee status was outsourced to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR Until 2006 there were no challenges to this system due to the low number of refugees 9 Later a new law was established in which the UNHCR would process asylum applications and send a recommendation to the Israeli National Status Granting Body which was tasked with deciding refugee status Approved refugees received temporary residency and temporary work permits in Israel 4 However the Israeli government granted only 170 permits of this kind between 2002 2005 Moreover individuals identified as citizens of enemy states were not allowed to seek asylum This was the status of all Sudanese refugees in Israel since both countries have no diplomatic relations 4 The rapid increase in the number of Eritrean and Sudanese immigrants beginning in 2006 changed the Israeli policy towards refugees from these two countries From then on the Israeli government began to work towards creating an environment that would be undesirable to refugees 4 However in 2007 the Israeli government was still issuing three month renewable conditional release visas which allowed Eritrean and Sudanese refugees to work Beginning 2010 all visas upon renewal were issued with a stamp indicating that this visa is not a working permit 4 This policy ensured that refugees were protected from deportation to their countries of origin but they could not legally work in Israel Due to the precarious legal work status of refugees they are often discriminated against for job opportunities and have to rely on infrequent jobs to make ends meet 4 2006 2008 editPrior to 2006 and throughout 2007 Israeli policy was to detain all refugees from enemy states for months at a time This policy was later discontinued 9 In addition there existed a policy to return refugees to the Sinai desert if they had crossed the border into Israel but this policy was also ended later by the decision of the Israeli Supreme Court 9 2009 2014 editIn 2009 the Israeli government formed a Refugee Status Determination RSD Unit that works closely with the United Nations 10 The Israeli Immigration and Border Authority processes all asylum requests and authorizes temporary group protection Most of the Sudanese and Eritrean refugees fell into the latter category a categorization that significantly delays registration as refugees 9 In 2012 Israel built a fence along their border with Egypt to deter the illegal migration of African refugees The fence has significantly decreased the influx of Sudanese and Eritrean refugees into Israel 11 Later that same year an emergency plan was set in motion to deport refugees to their home countries Voluntary deportees would be given an opportunity for self removal and receive 1 000 Euro to assist in repatriation to their homelands 12 2015 2018 editBy 2015 the Israeli government began giving Sudanese and Eritrean refugees a choice to either return to their home countries move to another state or be imprisoned 13 Many migrants lived in facilities such as Saharonim Prison and similar ones where they are free to leave during the day but must return at night or face imprisonment 13 During the spring of 2018 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached a deal with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR to relocate many refugees into western nations over a period of five years Israel agreed to grant temporary residency to those who remained 14 The deal soon fell apart due to pressure from within Netanyahu s own government 14 References edit AM Yardena Schwartz On 10 13 15 at 10 54 2015 10 13 Non Jewish Refugees Get a Cold Shoulder in Israel Newsweek Retrieved 2019 01 28 Furst Nichols Rebecca Jacobsen Karen January 2011 African Migration to Israel Debt Employment and Remittances PDF Feinstein International Center 1 20 via Tufts University Eglash Ruth 2018 04 25 Israel scraps contested plan to deport tens of thousands of African migrants The Washington Post Retrieved 2018 11 05 a b c d e f Yaron Hadas Hashimshony Yaffe Nurit Campbell John 2013 04 15 Infiltrators or Refugees An Analysis of Israel s Policy Towards African Asylum Seekers PDF International Migration 51 4 144 157 doi 10 1111 imig 12070 ISSN 0020 7985 Violent Riots Target African Nationals Living In Israel NPR org Retrieved 2018 11 05 South Tel Aviv residents show mixed emotions about African refugee crisis The Jerusalem Post JPost com Retrieved 2018 11 05 Israel to African refugees You re not welcome here USA TODAY Retrieved 2018 11 05 20 000 Israelis Protest Deportation of African Asylum Seekers Haaretz 2018 02 24 Retrieved 2018 11 05 a b c d Paz Yonathan March 2011 Ordered disorder African asylum seekers in Israel and discursive challenges to an emerging refugee regime PDF New Issues in Refugee Research Research Paper No 205 1 21 via United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Refugee Law and Policy Israel Library of Congress Ben Zikri Almog March 20 2018 Netanyahu Defends Egypt Border Fence Influx of African Migrants More Dangerous Than Terrorism Haaretz Hamilton Douglas June 11 2012 Israel rounds up African migrants for deportation Reuters a b Booth William May 14 2015 Israeli government to refugees Go back to Africa or go to prison The Washington Post a b Kershner Isabel April 2 2018 Israeli Leader Is Forced to Retreat on African Migrant Deal The New York Times Retrieved 2018 11 19 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Israeli policy for non Jewish African refugees amp oldid 1181034492, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
