Bethel Finance: Ameinu Condemns Israel's Knesset Action on Refugees

Bethel Finance news:
Ameinu, the leading progressive Zionist membership organization in the United States, condemns the decision taken by Israel's Knesset to amend the Prevention of Infiltration Law of 1954. Under the recently passed amendment, refugees and asylum seekers in Israel can be jailed for up to three years without trial or charges brought against them even if they have not committed any crime. Moreover, refugees from "enemy" states such as Sudan can be detained indefinitely. Since 2006, many of the Sudanese who have entered Israel illegally have been escaping genocide in Darfur. "The draconian changes to this law are clearly meant to deter new refugees from coming to Israel," said Ameinu President Kenneth Bob. "What this amendment really does is violate the refugees' human rights and turns Israel into a hostile environment for those who seek to escape persecution and harm in their home countries," he added.

Ameinu calls upon the government of Israel to adopt and implement a fair and humane policy regarding refugees and asylum seekers. "There is no question that the influx of thousands of undocumented entrants into Israel over the past several years is problematic for Israel on many levels," Bob continued. "The real issue is that Israel does not acknowledge that many of them are legitimately seeking political asylum from their countries. In place of measures such as this one, Israel needs a comprehensive asylum policy that is in compliance with international law," he added. "Israel, a country founded as a haven for persecuted Jews, cannot ignore the suffering of others. As American Jews who identify strongly with the Jewish state, the thought of innocent people fearing indefinite imprisonment for the 'crime' of being seen out on the street is a chilling one. This abrogation of human rights also makes it more difficult for us as Progressive Zionists to defend Israel in the court of public opinion," he concluded.

About Ameinu:

Ameinu, the leading progressive Zionist membership organization in the United States, is dedicated to promoting a negotiated peace between Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab states, and to social and economic justice for all in Israel and America. Ameinu reinforces Jewish continuity through support for Habonim Dror, the Labor Zionist youth movement, and management of the Kibbutz Program Center.