Meretz USA Protests Israel's Decision Not to Take in Additional Darfur Refugees

08/20/07

New York, NY…. Meretz USA President Larry Lerner and Chairman Theodore Bikel have denounced the Israel government’s agreement with Egypt, which allows it to turn back illegal immigrants – including those from the Darfur region of Sudan – without first ascertaining their refugee status.

Lerner and Bikel emphasized that, “the lessons of the Holocaust have taught the Jewish people never to turn away others, when doing so might condemn them to death in their home country.”

The full text of the statement by the Meretz USA President and Chairman follows:

In light of the commitment of Israel and the Jewish people to aid those whose lives are in danger and take in those at its doorstep, we denounce the Israel government’s agreement with Egypt, which allows it to turn back illegal immigrants – including those from the Darfur region of Sudan – without first ascertaining their refugee status.

We acknowledge approvingly the Israeli government’s decision to absorb the 500 refugees from Darfur already in Israel, but we urge the government not to stop there and not to prevent others in need from seeking shelter in the country. The lessons of the Holocaust have taught the Jewish people never to turn away others, when doing so might condemn them to death in their home country.

It is true that many migrants cross Israel’s border with Egypt for economic reasons, and Israel has no obligation to welcome these individuals, when doing so might strain the country. However, as Prime Minister Olmert’s wife, Aliza Olmert, has stated, “The mercy we can give these broken people is to quickly identify those who are eligible for refugee status and speed along their absorption in Israel.”