We have written on many previous occasions about Israel and refugees, indeed we have an entire category on the subject. As we reported previously, Israel has not had a very good system for dealing with the tens of thousands of asylum seekers coming across its borders. Here is a story from Haaretz that says that Sunday (today? maybe last Sunday?) there will be a discussion of the subject in the Netanyahu government. I wonder though if the terrible fire in Israel will cause postponement of this project.
A proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to establish an installation in the south for infiltrators who mean no harm will be brought before the cabinet for approval on Sunday.
Also Sunday, the government is expected to vote on new regulations to make determining refugee status more efficient. These rules will be applied when the non-security-related infiltrators seek asylum in Israel.
Meanwhile, in an unexpected turn of events, Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch said late last week he doesn’t want the Prison Service managing the installation.
Determining refugee status
According to the Population and Immigration Authority, there has been a sharp rise in the number of people crossing into Israel along the border. That number is currently estimated at 34,566.
One of the government’s plans is to establish procedures for determining refugee status.
Someone who entered Israel illegally will have a year to file a request for asylum. The head of the authorities for determining refugee status will then be able to reject the application if the person’s identity is not proved or the applicant does not meet the criteria for being recognized as a refugee. The current practice is that every request for asylum involves an in-depth interview.