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Israeli policy for non-Jewish African refugees

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Eritrean asylum seekers at Levinsky park Tel Aviv. January 8, 2014

The term "non-Jewish African refugees" refers mainly to the Sudanese and Eritrean refugee populations immigrating to Israel through the Sinai Desert. Israeli policy concerning these refugees has evolved from a policy of neutrality towards a policy of deterrence.[1] These refugees began arriving in Israel in the mid-2000's, led by Bedouin smugglers.[2] Their current population in Israel is around 36,000.[3]

Most of these 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] Economic limitations and other factors have led to discrimination and racism. There have been cases of violent riots targeting African Refugees in Tel Aviv, although those involved were arrested and punished by the Israeli government.[5]

Attitudes among Israeli citizens living in neighborhoods with large refugee populations are mixed. Some have claimed refugees are "rapists" and "criminals," while others in the same neighborhood described them as "peaceful and kind."[6] With tensions rising and shifting Israeli policy, both deterrence[7] and support of the refugees have increased.[8]

Evolution of Israeli Policy

2001–2006

Prior to 2001, the Israeli government did not have any specific policies for how to handle incoming refugee. 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 process 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. If a refugee was approved, they would receive temporary residency and temporary work permits in Israel.[4] However, the Israeli government granted only 170 permits of this kind between 2002-2005. All individuals who were identified as "citizens of enemy states" were not allowed to seek asylum. This was the status for all of the Sudanese refugees in Israel since Israel does not currently have diplomatic relations with Sudan.[4]

The rapid increase in the number of Eritrean and Sudanese immigrants beginning in 2006 changed the Israeli policy to one of deterring immigrants from these countries by creating an environment that is undesirable for refugees.[4] In 2007, the Israeli government issued three-month, renewable "conditional release" visas, which allowed Eritrean and Sudanese refugees to work. However, in 2010 all visas upon renewal were issued with a stamp indicating "This visa is not a working permit."[4] This policy ensured that refugees were protected from deportation to their countries of origins, but they could not legally work in Israel. Due to the precarious legal work status of refugees, they are discriminated against for job opportunities and rely on infrequent jobs to make ends meet.[4]

2006–2008

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, it was the policy to return refugees to the Sinai desert after having crossed the border into Israel, but an Israeli Supreme Court decision later ended this policy as well .[9]

2009–2014

In 2009, the Israeli government formed a Refugee Status Determination unit within the Population, Immigration and Border Authority, which would handle all asylum requests and temporary group protections. Most of the Sudanese and Eritrean refugees fell under the latter category, which significantly delays their registration as refugees.[9]

In 2012, Israel built a fence along their border with Egypt to hamper the illegal migration of African refugees. The fence has significantly decreased the influx of Sudanese and Eritrean refugees into Israel.[10] Later that same year, an emergency plan was set in motion to deport refugees to their home countries. Voluntary deportees would receive 1000 euros.[11]

2015–2018

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.[12] Many migrants lived in the Holot detention facility, where they are free to leave during the day, but must return at night or face imprisonment.[12]

During the spring of 2018, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached a deal with the UNHCR to relocate a large number of refugees in Western nations over a period of five years. Israel agreed to grant temporary residency to those who remained.[13] The deal soon fell apart due to pressure from within Netanyahu's own government.[13]

References

  1. ^ 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.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Furst-Nichols, Rebecca; Jacobsen, Karen (January 2011). "African Migration to Israel: Debt, Employment and Remittances" (PDF). Feinstein International Center: 1–20 – via Tufts University.
  3. ^ Eglash, Ruth (2018-04-25). "Israel scraps contested plan to deport tens of thousands of African migrants". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Violent Riots Target African Nationals Living In Israel". NPR.org. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  6. ^ "South Tel Aviv residents show mixed emotions about African refugee crisis". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  7. ^ "Israel to African refugees: You're not welcome here". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  8. ^ "20,000 Israelis Protest Deportation of African Asylum Seekers". Haaretz. 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Ben Zikri, Almog (March 20, 2018). "Netanyahu Defends Egypt Border Fence: Influx of African Migrants More Dangerous Than Terrorism". Haaretz.
  11. ^ Hamilton, Douglas (June 11, 2012). "Israel rounds up African migrants for deportation". Reuters.
  12. ^ a b Booth, William (May 14, 2015). "Israeli government to refugees: Go back to Africa or go to prison". The Washington Post.
  13. ^ 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.
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