Refugees and Repatriation : Case Study on Israel - Research Paper Example

?Refugees and Repatriation: Case Study on Israel Table of Contents Introduction 3 Issues of Refugees and Repatriation in Israel 3 Conclusion 7 References 8 Introduction A refugee is considered to be an individual residing in a foreign country, generally to escape persecution against them in their homeland or country of origin. The reason behind this fact might be identified in terms that they have encountered maltreatment on account of race, religion and political opinion or owing to the fact that they belong to the member of the persecuted ‘social group’. On the other hand, the concept of repatriation can be defined as the method of sending back the person or rather the refugee to his/her place of birth or citizenship on the basis that they generally lack legal identification in the foreign country. It principally comprises of the method of returning the refugees or the soldiers to their place of birth after the war. There are various countries that are found to be following specific rules to repatriation including Israel1. Issues of Refugees and Repatriation in Israel In the recent phenomenon, it has been noted that Israel is making an attempt to return the asylum seekers who have entered the Israeli border from Egypt. When making such practices, Israel has been criticised to be disobeying the international laws as per the paper submitted by the United Nations High Commission on Refugees. Such ‘hot return policy’ permits Israel Defence Force armies to repatriate the ‘infiltrators’ to the neighbouring country prior to 24 hours since their entry in the Israeli border and also provided they have not travelled more than 50 kilometres from the border2. Eli Yishai in an interview presented the Israeli government’s view related to the African migrants stating that majority of the immigrants coming into Israel are Muslims who perceive that the land does not belong to the Israeli’s rather ‘belong to the white man’. Previously, nearly 700 refugees belonging to South Sudan as their country of origin used to live in Israel and had established permission to stay in the nation. However, it was noted that Israel government argued for the eviction of these Sudanese on the basis of the argument that the country has become independent recently essentializing the uniqueness of Israeli identification. With this concern, it has been argued by the critics that most of the Sudanese are likely to face violence if they return back to their country of origin, i.e. South Sudan due to persecution3. It has been apparent that there are thousands of unauthorised African migrants dwelling in Israel owing to which the nation was forcing nearly 120 South Sudanese to repatriate. Furthermore, delegates from South Sudan also did not oppose the repatriation because of the fact that Israel was found to be offering monetary incentive to the migrants in order to leave voluntarily. It is to be noted in this regard that near about 60,000 deprived Africans belonging to Eritrea and South Sudan have migrated into Israel since the year 2005, escaping brutal regimes as well as looking for employment opportunities. The invasion has led to friction among the Israeli dwellers where it has been apparent that certain incidents have turned sadistic. It was claimed by the higher authorities that the migrants impose substantial burden upon the economy and hence intimidate to ruin Israel’s related Jewish character. In light of the public chaos, the Israeli government was found initiating a campaign in order to push out migrants from South Sudan as well as other countries which are termed to be in good relation with the Israel and hence asserted the fact that these migrants would be treated fairly. It has been anticipated that Israel would push out nearly 4,500 Africans in the near future. This operation is likely to create an impact upon the total number of the migrants currently residing in the nation. According to the international treaty, Israel is barred to deport the migrants belonging to Sudan because of the fact that these migrants are most likely to face harm if they return back to their country of foundation4. However, as assured by the Minister for Interior of the Republic of South Sudan, Alison Manani Magaya, the migrants can easily come back and thus reside with their family. She further asserted that since the war has completed, the Sudanese must come back to Sudan supporting the fact that the country has no objection if Israel plans to depot the Southern Sudanese refugees5. In this context, it has further been noted that Israel has constantly refused to repatriate the Palestine refugees. Although, surveys state the fact that the refugees want to return back to their country of origin, but are pessimistic regarding the chances for a peaceful return6. The refugees are found to possess shielded status under the international law and hence the most favoured results for them are likely to be repatriated in their country of origin. In this regard, the main task of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been to promote the voluntary repatriation of the refugees. Hence, the Israeli activities related to voluntary repatriation of the South Sudanese refugees can be considered as legal7. It can further be stated that Israel is the country that is majorly populated by the refugees, mostly Jews. The country grew and prospered because of the additional immigration from countries such as Russia, Ethiopia as well as other nations. However, in the present times the identity of Israel is being challenged because of the arrival of the Africans who view the country as an asylum to escape from domination in their place of origin. Conversely, it has been asserted by the refugee activists that government leaders are promoting the prejudice and anger towards the Africans who are blamed of committing crimes, taking away of jobs from the Israelis and deterioration of the Jewish character of the country8. Conclusion There are innumerable refugees in Israel who have often been accused to undermine the nation’s Jewish character. On this basis it can be argued that Israelis seems to be justified in their opinion to settle the refugees in some other countries concerning their mutual interests with other nations, especially South Sudan. However, it would be illegal to refuse the well-established applications based on the fact that the result might be the return of people to the places where they face harassment. According to the history of Jewish people and Israel’s status as a “Jewish and democratic state”, it is significant to focus upon compassionate approach towards the asylum seekers where the UNHCR needs to develop policies related to the repatriation and assist those displaced Sudanese or the Africans. References Alam, Anwar. “Barriers to Repatriation of Afghan Refugees (A Case Study of Afghan Community at Shah and Khusar Colony Board Area Peshawar)”, Abstract. http://www.hrmars.com/admin/pics/652.pdf (accessed August 16, 2012). CAMERA. “On Refugees and Racism, a Double Standard Against Israel”, News. http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=2&x_outlet=2&x_article=2265 (accessed August 16, 2012). Houk, Marian. “Israel's Forced Deportation Disguised As Repatriation”, News. http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/israel-s-forced-deportation-disguised-repatriation (accessed August 16, 2012). Sudan, Richard. “Note To Refugees From South Sudan: Israel Is For The White Man”, News. http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/06/22/note-to-refugees-from-south-sudan-israel-is-for-the-white-man/ (accessed August 16, 2012). Stein, Barry N. “Refugee Repatriation, Return, and Refoulement During Conflict”, Major Issues and Problems. http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNACD092.pdf (accessed August 16, 2012). Sherwood, Harriet. “Israel Turns on Its Refugees”, News. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/04/israel-migrant-hate (accessed August 16, 2012). Teibel, Amy. “South Sudanese Migrants Leaving Israel Under Pressure”, News. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/17/south-sudanese-israel-migrants_n_1603682.html (accessed August 16, 2012). Weiler-Polak, Dana. “Israel's 'Hot Return' Of Sudan Refugees Prompts UN Concern”, News. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-s-hot-return-of-sudan-refugees-prompts-un-concern-1.3150 (accessed August 16, 2012). Read More