Asylum seekers trapped on Egypt-Israel border go 6 days without food

[azurnoir]

The group fled from Egypt to Israel, crossed the Egyptian fence into Israeli territory, and was then stopped by the fence Israel has been erecting precisely in order to stop asylum seekers such as these (in addition to the illegal smuggling of arms and drugs) from entering Israel. As Haaretz reports, soldiers have been ordered to prevent the group from crossing the new fence, and for six days now have only given the asylum seekers little water and fabrics for protection from the sun – but no food. Two of the women who reached the fence were pregnant, and one of them has reportedly already suffered a miscarriage during the long stay in the sun.

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Meanwhile the International Committee of the Red Cross is starting to get involved, and Israeli experts on international law warn that stopping asylum seekers from entering the country and making their claim for asylum is a breach of binding treaties to which Israel is a signatory. Israeli NGOs are now preparing to file an urgent petition to the High Court demanding the asylum seekers be allowed into the country.

My own estimation is that Israel will not let the asylum seekers die in the absurd prison in which they are caught. Eventually they will be let in. The cynical point of this extremely cruel behavior echoes what Interior Minister Eli Yishai continues to emphasize: that the aim of Israeli policy is to make life unbearable for the asylum seekers, who cannot be deported due to a severe risk to their lives in their countries of origin – mainly Sudan and Eritrea – and therefore should be dissuaded from attempting to enter Israel in the first place.

As the majority of asylum seekers in Israel come from Eritrea, and as the state offers them collective protection from deportation without checking their individual refugee claims while at the same time forbidding them from working, it is worth mentioning that the global recognition rate for Eritreans as refugees stands at 93 percent. Those making the journey from Egypt to Israel are at serious risk of being kidnapped by a sophisticated smuggling network for ransom, torture, rape, organ harvesting and death. Just today, Human Rights Watch published a detailed account of the atrocities committed by the smugglers, and called on Egypt to crack down on the networks.

http://972mag.com/asylum-seekers-trapped-on-egypt-israel-border-go-6-days-without-food/55182/

[azurnoir]

1. Israel grants entry to 3 African migrants trapped on border; other 18 sent to Egypt

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the deal that was reached, saying he is determined to stop migrants from entering Israel. "It is important that everyone understand that Israel is not another destination for infiltrators," he said. "We are determined to stop the influx of infiltrations that has ensued."

The UN High Commission for Refugees commented on the developments, stating that the move to grant some of the migrants entry into Israel, and to turn the others way, was not coordinated with the UN, and expressed concern over the fate of the migrants. According to the commission, such a move is possible only when the side receiving the asylum seekers can guarantee to provide them with protection, not simply arrest them and return them to their home countries.

Sarah Robinson, coordinator of Amnesty International’s campaign for refugee rights in Israel, said “Israel’s government confirmed for the court today that the group of Eritreans by the border fence was in fact in Israeli territory. This fact obligated the country to allow them to apply for asylum, which was not done, and thus Israel failed to uphold its obligations, according to international refugee treaties.”

Earlier Thursday, Israel Police barred members of an Israeli physicians' NGO from providing aid to the African migrants.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-grants-entry-to-3-african-migrants-trapped-on-border-other-18-sent-to-egypt.premium-1.463256

[oberliner]

2. Things sound pretty awful in Egypt

It really says something about Israel that people are willing to go through such lengths to get there.

That list of atrocities committed by the smugglers in Egypt: ransom, torture, rape, organ harvesting and death. Good lord!

[azurnoir]

3. It also says something that despite everything you said which is BTW very true

that Israel chose to turn 18 of these refugees over to Egypt

[eyl]

4. Are you equating the Egyptian government

with the smuggling rings?

[azurnoir]

5. the actions of both with regard to the refugees are horrendous

at least that is my understanding