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Last update - 06:50 18/10/2007 Government source: State may send African refugees to Ethiopia By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: extraterritorial camps, State  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert confirmed Wednesday for the first time that the state is considering establishing extraterritorial refugee camps to cope with the influx of African refugees to Israel. According to a highly-placed source, Ethiopia is a potential location for such camps. Olmert arrived in a particularly combative mood to Wednesday's special cabinet session on the state's failure to deal with the refugees. "Of all the thousands who have infiltrated, only 498 are refugees," he said, "and not one more. The remainder of those who are entering the State of Israel are job-seekers or traffickers in women or other kinds of criminals or people who have absolutely nothing in common with refugees. They have nothing to do with us. What is their connection to us?" Olmert said. MK Ran Cohen, chairman of the Knesset Commitee on Foreign Workers, who arranged the special session, criticized Olmert for ordering the refugees to be put in prison - like criminals. Advertisement "What is this preaching of yours? A group numbering dozens arrives at night, what exactly should the state do? Put them up in hotels, bed-and-breakfasts? " Olmert replied, noting that he was speaking proudly and without apology. Olmert acknowledged that many of the infiltrators were from southern Sudan, but said that they were labor migrants who had no connection to the war in the area. According to a statement by Moked, the Hotline for Migrant Workers, the main reason that only 498 people, all from Darfur, have been recognized as refugees is that the status of the remainder has not been checked. Olmert told the session that the state is considering contributing toward the establishment of camps in countries that will agree to take them in. In the past, Haaretz reported on Kenya as one potential location. That fell through, but yesterday a source close to Olmert mentioned Ethiopia as a possible location. "We tried to work out an arrangement with the Egyptians, based on the explicit promise of Egypt's president that none of them would be tortured or treated badly or returned to any place where they would be in any kind of danger. So to suddenly hear from the extreme left of the Knesset that when the president of Egypt gives an explicit promise that I'm not supposed to believe the president of Egypt? That sounds a little odd," said Olmert. Olmert has promised to provide asylum to only 498 recognized refugees from Darfur, and perhaps to a few more in the future. But there is no cause for relief; Olmert said they will receive temporary, not permanent residency, and that status can be withdrawn anytime. Related articles: MKs oppose the deportation of Darfur refugees back to Egypt Israel to grant citizenship to hundreds of Darfur refugees Government: Darfur refugees will be refused entry into Israel Darfur refugees in Israel form panel to represent their interests Bookmark to del.icio.us   Under probe Olmert stays focused on work despite new allegations. Taxi Hamas Hamas police cars serve as taxis in fuel-starved Gaza.   1.   Olmert is Right 05:50  |  Ron 18/10/07   2.   None is too many 06:10  |  Robert 18/10/07   3.   None is too many? 06:42  |  B 18/10/07   4.   ALSO FALASTIN ARABS. THIS IS TRANSFER. PERIOD.)))) 07:36  |  VOICE of MOSHIACH))) 18/10/07   5.   genocide 10:38  |  habakook 18/10/07   6.   REFUGEES DESERVE HELP MIGRANTS FROM AFRICA DON,T 12:19  |  D.Spondent 18/10/07   7.   THEY COME TO ISRAEL FOR MERCY 12:33  |  jerry 18/10/07   8.   to Ron 12:44  |  dovale 18/10/07   9.   #8 Dovale - Here we go again 14:45  |  * BEN JABO 18/10/07   10.   Olmert is wrong 00:25  |  Mr. Solomound 05/05/08

Read & React FM: Israel has no hidden agenda for settlements Responses: 171 Gideon Levy: Why not have a siren for the Naqba on Israel's Independence Day? Responses: 163 ANALYSIS: Is this where it all ends for Ehud Olmert? Responses: 63 Olmert: I'll keep doing my job despite 'vicious rumors' Responses: 66 Report: Hezbollah can intercept all calls in Lebanon thanks to Iranian network Responses: 87 Rosner's Domain Dangerously underestimating Syria and Iran (WTR) Carter is helping Hamas achieve their strategic goal Super headache for superdelegates Asali: on nationalist fantasies, religious zealotry, of Israelis/Palestinians Helping McCain win over Jewish voters (WTR) More Headlines 00:04 Israeli tourist, 22, found dead in southern Peru 22:58 Mazuz hints details of Olmert probe to be released shortly 23:34 Livni: Israel has no hidden agenda for West Bank settlements 23:27 Obama: U.S. would defend Israel in attack, 'nuclear or otherwise' 22:59 Prominent California reverend apologizes for anti-Semitic jibe 21:44 Hirchson faces embezzlement charges, won't request immunity 23:30 Animal rights activists reveal their own (kosher) identity 17:55 Palestinians: IDF kills civilian in Gaza; three rockets hit Sderot 23:18 Swiss FM disappointed her gov't not invited to Israel's anniversary 21:55 Gaydamak, former Pensioners set sights on cabinet seats 21:47 UN: Humanitarian aid to Gaza to be halted Mon. due to fuel shortage 23:20 Israel spy chief said to host U.K. counterpart for talks on Iran Previous Editions Select Day 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr

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