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Last update - 08:09 19/03/2008 Tel Aviv setting up tent city for African refugees By Yigal Hai, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: israel, refugees, tel aviv  African refugees living in abysmal conditions at shelters and parks spread throughout south Tel Aviv will be moved to a new tent compound with improved conditions, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai announced on Tuesday. Tents will be set up in the wooded area between Herzl Street and the Institute of Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir, and will house some 700 people. The municipality has made assurances no trees will be cut when setting up the compound in this southern part of the city. "The idea is to erect a sophisticated tent city," Yael Dayan, Tel Aviv deputy mayor in charge of refugee affairs, said. "Due to government inaction, we will make the refugees' living conditions humane." Advertisement The compound will have running water, electricity, and air conditioning. Showers and toilets will be set up, as well as a large kitchen facility. Beds from the currently operating shelters will be moved to the compound, in addition to other necessities. Over the past two weeks, conditions for refugees staying in Tel Aviv have worsened. Last week, some 60 refugees were evicted from a building they were temporarily staying at on Motzkin Street in north-central Tel Aviv. After seeking accommodation in south Tel Aviv, they were informed that the shelters there were full. As a result, they were sent to live temporarily in Haatzmaut Gardens near the beach. Dayan last week accused the Prime Minister's Office of reneging on its commitment to transfer government funds to help refugees rent apartments. She claimed the office had promised to send grants of some NIS 2,000 to 400 refugees as a first phase, but no funds were made available. The Prime Minister's Office denied ever making such a commitment. A Tel Aviv municipal committee will on Wednesday discuss allocating the NIS 250,000 needed to build the compound. Construction work will start Sunday and refugees will be moved there on Wednesday and Thursday. "Our demand for government aid still stands," Dayan added. "The most important demand is that it issues refugees with work permits. We know that many employees would be interested in employing the refugees." Related articles: Immigration Police detains some 200 African refugees in Tel Aviv 'Maybe tomorrow will be better' Egypt police kill Sudanese migrant on Israel border A harsh migration policy Bookmark to del.icio.us   Jet error Israeli warplanes come close to shooting down Tony Blair's plane. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.   1.   Eviction to tent city Bravo! 07:17  |  Jim 19/03/08   2.   African "refugees" vs. the Israeli poor?! 10:27  |  Nadav 19/03/08   3.   Israel sets up tent city, Egypt simply shoots them 11:14  |  Joe Sittizen 19/03/08   4.   enough is enough 12:26  |  Jane 19/03/08   5.   Refugees are better off in Darfur than Israel 12:32  |  Natallie Durson 19/03/08   6.   Natallie Durson, the biggest hater around seems to be YOU! 23:57  |  Black Girl 19/03/08   7.   Natallie Durson, the biggest hater around seems to be YOU! 00:11  |  Black Girl 20/03/08   8.   Muslims would help these Muslims, if... 00:18  |  Analyst 20/03/08   9.   Can someone explain to me why... 00:21  |  bat yam 20/03/08   10.   Tent city is improvement? 02:53  |  how generous israel 20/03/08   11.   Tent city is improvement? 02:53  |  how generous israel 20/03/08   12.   #1; Jim and #10 don`t make me laugh. 04:31  |  Doc Holliday 20/03/08   13.   Get Them Out Of TLV 07:32  |  Slibovitz 20/03/08   14.   #9 - bat yam 20:23  |  MichaelF 20/03/08   15.   #5 - Natallie Durson 23:27  |  MichaelF 20/03/08   16.   Perhaps for when Israel becomes Palestine? 00:18  |  michael mazur 21/03/08   17.   ISRAEL SEEMS HELL BENT ON COMMITING SUICIDE! 23:23  |  Neil 24/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: The Palestinians' time is running out Responses: 432 West backs Lebanese gov't capitulation to Hezbollah Responses: 201 Obama promises 'unshakable commitment' to Israel if elected Responses: 223 Hamas: Olmert too weak to negotiate peace agreement with Syria Responses: 213 McCain rejects pastor's support after 'God sent Hitler' jibe Responses: 121 Rosner's Domain Rosner's Guests: can "decisive victory" against guerilla achieved? Blame the Israel Lobby for Clinton's loss? (WTR) Poll: Peace between Israel & Syria? Should American Jews Embrace Living Double Lives? Why Obama needs Florida Jews? (WTR) More Headlines 03:05 Law enforcement source: Olmert's indictment is just a matter of time 01:48 Syria sends minister to Iran after shock revelation of Israel talks 02:46 ANALYSIS: Can Syria break its Iranian bear hug? 01:06 Israel denies entry to high-profile critic Norman Finkelstein 02:53 ANALYSIS / Olmert's last police interview was tailormade for him 03:00 Spanish doctors, Israeli reality 02:07 Israel places 9th in 2008 Eurovision Song Contest; Russia wins 01:16 Israeli warplanes almost shoot down Tony Blair's plane 03:38 Report: Singer Amy Winehouse to undergo drug rehab in Israel 14:56 Tourist in critical condition after jumping from Tiberias hospital 02:11 'Israeli Big Lebowski' captures top student prize at Cannes Previous Editions Select Day 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may

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