| Israel has a moral, biblical and legal duty to look after these people - many of whom are fleeing from the kind of genocide that a good number of our ancestors perished in. Biblically, Jews are obliged to welcome the stranger (look at your Haggadahs in the run up to Pesach). Morally, how can we turn away people with a well founded fear of persecution. From a financial point of view - yes, it will cost money, but already these refugees are contributing to the Israeli economy by doing the jobs that no-one else (except Palestinians) would choose to do. In time, they will be a net asset to the state. For those who wonder about them not being Jewish: could I suggest you look at the Russain immigrants to Israel, many of whom are not halachically Jewish. For those who wonder about taxes subsidising non-productive individuals: that`s a good an excuse as any for persecuting the Haredim, physically handicapped, chronically ill etc who fall into the same category. |
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