African migrants protest against Israel's plans to deport them
26 February, 2018
Thousands of African asylum seekers, migrants and their supporters are protesting against Israel's plans to deport them. The government has given the group until 1 April to leave the country for an unnamed African destination in exchange for $3,500 (£2,500) and a plane ticket.
They face indefinite imprisonment if they refuse. Demonstr-ators carrying signs saying "We're all humans" and "Refugees and residents refuse to be enemies" marched through the streets of the south Tel Aviv neighborhood of Neve Shanaan, where there is a large migrant community.
Channel 10 TV estimated 15,000 people joined the protest, while Haaretz said the march drew a 20,000-strong crowd. According to the UN refugee agency, there are 27,000 asylum seekers from dictatorial Eritrea and 7,700 from war-torn Sudan currently living in Israel.
It is reported that the asylum seekers will be deported to Rwanda and Uganda, although both deny they have struck any kind of deal with the Israeli government. Those who have already arrived in Rwanda report having their documents confiscated and having basic rights denied.
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