Netanyahu wants Israel to become a refugee hell
The Prime Minister hopes that the refugees' experience in our country will be so bad that they will not even dream of coming here anymore.
By Yossi SaridThere is no need to delve too deeply to assess the wondrous intentions of the Israeli government, which yesterday resolved to build "a detention facility for infiltrators" in the Negev. Indeed, the intentions are there for all to see, since the government declares them boastfully and unabashedly.
According to its own explanation, the government wants the refugees' experience in our country to be a bad one. In fact, so bad that they will not even dream of coming here anymore, and that the shelter over their heads which they crave will be sought elsewhere.
 |
An African man sits on the ground after being detained by Israel's military for crossing illegally into Israel from Egypt. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
One gets the impression that the ministers who supported the decision did not bother to glance at the updated map of human suffering. Had they done so, they would see that the vast majority of refugees have come to us from cannibalism-ridden countries like Sudan and Eritrea.
These people do not have many alternative routes of escape. It was not by choice that they came here and will continue to do so. Rather, it was due to an existential necessity - a situation over which they had no control and which could not be deterred. It isn't the force of attraction that compelled them to grab onto us, but the force of repulsion: The fear of death pushed them away.
Thus, Netanyahu and company will not be able to stop them in their tracks. They'll just succeed in making these people's lives more miserable. Malice of the heart - and a particularly inadequate brain - gave birth to this decision. Nobody can threaten people sentenced to death with a "detention center."
The refugees know that Israel is not a haven for them, but neither is it the hell from which they've fled for their lives. At the very least, Israel does not shoot "the infiltrators," which is to its credit. That is a disgraceful task which it leaves to its neighbor, Egypt, while playing the role of deaf and blind. Israel doesn't see those who are shot and killed on its border, it doesn't hear the screams of terror let out by those tortured, robbed and raped. And already there have been instances recently in which soldiers have refused orders to launch a "hot pursuit" - namely, to chase men, women and children back over the border and to their deaths - simply because they did not have the stomach for it.
Physicians for Human Rights yesterday issued a statement which described the decision as "the mark of Cain." But the mark was given to Cain not to imprison him, but to save him.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
"the vast majority of refugees have come to us from cannibalism-ridden countries like Sudan and Eritrea." One hopes, that you mean that their governments are devouring the people. If not, then you are a bigoted fool. There is no cannabalism in these countries! Having travelled and lived in these very countries, I'm appalled by your ignorant statement.
- gave birth to this decision. Nobody can threaten people sentenced to death with a "detention center." Bibi and his stupid, self-righteous government make me sick!
Mr. Sarid, I usually agree with you, but what is the answer? Do you expect Israel to take in a few million refugees from Africa? That is definitely the direction.
They make for them a hell hoping the wont go back.
Thats a great idea, why don't we just withdraw the army and let all the arab neighbours in while we're at it. This isn't a perfect world, dummy. Sometimes taking harsh action against a small group of people is necessary for the greater good. Besides, I don't see the rest of the muslim world doing their share, but of course the world turns a blind eye to this whilst condemning Israel for every thing they do that is short of perfect.
What is his solution? To take in every refugee? Yeah that will work.
Mr. Sarid, do not you want Israel to become a refugee haven? I do not think Israel needs refugees. Even Aliah is more than enough for this tiny state
No one needed us either, after the Holocaust. No one "needs" refugees anywhere, but some help them and have come compassion towards those individuals who have suffered what most of us will never experience.
The financial issue alone makes absorbing thousands of refugees & mostly economic migrants impossible its already hard enough to financially absorb the jewish immigrants. At the rate these people are coming give it 10 years and they will make up a substantial percentage of the population and create a major dent in the jewish majority and as the bulk of them are uneducated and have no money of their own we would be creating a large underclass. They spoil neighborhoods, commit crime, take jobs, things like schools have to stretch their recources further which is going to create a drop in education standards in general. Unless Israel wants to restructure so it can be the worlds biggest refugee camp that will welcome refugees and economic migrants from anywhere in the world with open arms then we need to start deporting people like other western countries do. The detention centre is not a prison. True they have to stay there until their case is heard and their future decided but and whilst its not a 5 star hotel conditions are humane We need to also work with the UNHCR to find a long term solution to the real refiugees because Israel cannot be expected to take in every single refugee and we should also reserve the right to pay safe African countries to take them where they will be deported to. To a refugee all that matters is they have a safe country where they can stay they are not allowed to pick a country based on if they think its the best place to start over for economic or political reasons .. they are refugees not tourists. The building of this place wouldn't even make headline news if it was the US or an EU country the governments build these places, the public support it and the individuals accept it. Only in Israel its treated as some sort of crime against humanity to build detention centres and deport people. What this government is doing is not turning Israel into a refugee hell its still too little and its too late and this must be treated as the start to deal with the problem not the end game otherwise the big loosers will be the Israeli citizens.
It is not for Israel to sort out Africa's problems. There are 22 Arab states to take these muslim economic chancers.The naive guilt ridden leftist middle classes have the luxury of not having to live with this influx of opportunists.
Go ahead, step up, take one into your home and help them find work. Anyone can sit a computer bitching.
The Sudanese will not let them and they're not the meek Israeli Goverment and population.They'll eat pal "refugees" ,literally in an African State that once was Israel.
Refugees from Eritrea and Sudan are paying a lot of money to people smuglers and this is a big busines. who knows that Egyptian security is involved in this big busines.
Israel has become hell under Bibi for most of its citizens. Why should the refugees be exempt?
shoulder when you attack Israel would turn away from you . Try it if you don't believe me.
countries of Sudan and Eritrea. I have to admit, sir, that made me sit up and pay attention. Cannibalism! And two countries that were honest-to-god "ridden" with it! Not like other places where it occurs now and then as an isolated--and then widely covered--event--but occurring right there and right now in Sudan and Eritrea, and in fully "RIDDEN" mode! Am I being sarcastic, sir? Well, yes, actually. And I may be dead wrong (no pun intended). And if I am, I apologize. But it was just that the "nightly feasts in the streets" image that your "cannibalism-ridden" phrase "conjured up" (again, no pun intended)--made the skeptic side of me sit up and say: "Really...?"
Just compare with the refugees' situation in quiet Belgium which is richer than Israel and which has no geographic proximity with Africa. Despite ice-cold temperatures (minus 0°C) the refugees are stranded in the hall of the railway station of Brussels, Europe's nice capital city ... http://www.lalibre.be/actu/belgique/article/626432/gare-du-nord-les-demandeurs-d-asile-ne-seront-pas-deplaces-lundi.html
Great!
As an African,it sadens me that our People leave their homeland continent!Our continent is resourceful, we can partner with Friends of Africa to take it forward,the World has profted from our Human resources,natural resources, time has come to partner with us and develop Africa.
Israel already does help African countries by teaching them about Israeli developed agricultural methods. We can't get involved in civil wars. In this case the bulk of these people are not even real refugees they are economic migrants because even though their lives are not at risk back home compared to life in Africa Israel is paradise and they want the good life in Israel same way the Mexicans want the good life in America and we don't owe them jobs or homes. In the case of the real refugees Israel cannot take in all the worlds refugees because we feel sorry for them we need to find a bigger solution. Get the UNHCR to find a regional solution and get other countries to take them in or deport them to safe African countries. All Israel needs to do is make sure they are in a safe country not take them in. We already showed we are a weak when it comes to illegals once this year when we allowed a bill that started off about deporting illegals to be turned into one about children by workers rights groups and made the government sound like a bunch of Nazis who wanted to deport children when this started out deporting illegals and the fact they had children was a non issue. If we don't start getting tough this is going to spiral out of countrol and Israel will be known as the worlds biggest refugee camp rather than a jewish state.
It is not Israels fault that life in these refugees home countries is so terrible for them, nor is it their responsibility to save them. Israel is a small country and can't afford to be a safe haven for every african seeking a better life. This article is immature and provocative.
What is the leadership thinking and where does it believe that its people will be in twenty years. How can a country which was birthed and subsequently evolved as a result of persecution so happily trod down the same path as its tormentors a mere half-century ago? For those who always cite religious reasons, the Torah and the Old Testament for the basis of Israel's birth, expansion and behavior; your memories are quite short and not given to executing a fair self-analysis. G_D has harshly punished the Israelites several times for aberrant and non-Judaic behavior. Israel is erecting, so to speak, a new "Temple of the Golden Calf," whereby the object of true Judaism is obfuscated via acts of inhumanity, immoral behavior, persecution and land theft. While the UN, the US and the Western World seemingly turn a blind eye towards Israel's obscene behavior; how long will G_D choose to do the same. The big fellow upstairs always seems to have a unique way of leveling the playing field. So keep it up Israel, even as you erect a new "Temple of the Golden Calf," you will eventually have to pay the "Heavenly Piper."
Clearly you have little idea of what your talking about. The Torah, and Jewish teaching state something along the lines of give them food and water, and let them go on their way. It does not state, take them in. Why? Because of exactly what's happening right now in Europe, and Israel with all these individuals... So sheltering them is actually what not to do if you follow teachings.
It is not up to Jewish Israel to deal with African Moslems. Allow the non racist Arab states (thats a joke) to deal with their own and problems of their own making. If there are Christians among them then they were persecuted by the religion of peace: Islam.
Egypt isn't good enough for them? Why is it they resort to come to Israel? Oh, that's right, because they can get a job. Even Muslims from Darfur (don't like your Muslim brethren in Egypt?) They are as much of refugees as the Mexicans who cross into the US. Just looking to make money. I wish they settle a few hundred in the neighborhood where this writer is from instead of letting the people in poor neighborhoods suffer the burden. Everyone who is in favor of letting them in, should live among them
Carmen, I forgive you for your words. It is OK. You talk like this simply because you do not grasp the topic fully. If I knew you lived in Tel-Aviv, I would invite you to accompany me to the South of Tel-Aviv and ask the very first African what his life story is.... and perhaps, hopefully, then you will understand a bit better. 89% of the Africans in Israel today have suffered some form of torture, rape, civil war, genocide. Where is your compassion? You need to start believing and realizing that those people do NOT come here just to make money. Ridiculous...
The big question is why the UNHCR, the UN agency created to deal with refugees is not dealing with the problem. By default or intentionally, Egypt and Israel are left to deal with it. Lest we forget, righteous Yossi is always there to remind us how mean, brainless and now heartless, the current government is. Yossi is some piece of work.
When we are refugees where will we go? Who will take us in? History does repeat itself.
bravo
Any more than Israel can allow Gideon Levy setting Israeli policy. Israel can not be safe haven for African Moslems. Gaza is a better destination. Israel simply does not have the demographics or the resources to take care of refugees that are not Jews. The Arabs do.
How is it possible, that of all countries in the world, Israel is the one accused of doing something inhumane to those who cross their borders? Are we forgetting that a few short years ago suicide bombers were a rampant problem? Apparently. It's only because the Israeli security forces are so good at what they do that the attacks have diminished. It's not their priority to start weeding out those who are refugees looking for a safe haven and those who are looking to kill their citizens. They detain everyone because they fear the worst, as they very well should based on past experiences. Israel is one of the few countries of the world that allows almost any person to legally migrate into their country. If you break the law, you get treated like a criminal. Simple as that.
Almost anyone who is Jewish you mean?
you pose--you probably to ask what in court jargon would be called an "expert witness"--and if their going fees aren't too high--you might consider employing (a) MK Yishai, and (b) Rabbi Ovadia Yosef; I have it on unanimous authority that they have rock-solid opinions on the subject. (Well, actually, I think the Rabbi has the "opinions"--and Yishai acts in a sort of "ventriloquist's dummy" capacity.) In any case, good luck.
Avi: You are mixing everything up, here, I think. No one is talking about suicide bombs. No. We are talking about people who have experienced a fair share of suffering from genocides, rapes, civil wars, etc. You want to know why Israel is the one who has to hold the burden (they are not THE only ones, by the way --this is global issue--) ?? I will tell you: Israel is holding weapon deals as we speak in Central Africa Republic, Uganda, Congo, Ivory Coast, Sudan, etc. When Israel stops selling weapons to those countries, which are those exact same of origin of the "infiltrators", well.... maybe then Israelis can start complaining about having too many Africans in its land!
Let the thousands of refugees straming to Israel take over your house, Yossi, but any sane nation has the right to deal with people who enter illegally. I note that you criticize, as always, but offer no solution.