Israel for Sudanese Refugees

Israel for Sudanese Refugees

An estimated 3,000 refugees, mostly from Sudan, have been arriving in Israel through Egypt this past year. The student organization "Israel for Sudanese Refugees" (ISR) was founded by students from Ben Gurion University of the Negev and Hebrew University of Jerusalem to:

1) Provide basic necessities for refugees thrown on the streets

2) Lobby for a government plan to absorb a limited number of refugees

3) Help find an international solution for asylum of refugees.

MK Malkior from the Labor Party and MK Dov Chanin from the Chadash Party have began pushing for a Refugee Rights Act. We have spoken at committee meetings and persuaded the majority of MKs, with representatives from every single party, to sign a petition against immediately deporting refugees and supporting an international agreement. We are now meeting with ministers, MKs, and government advisers on a weekly basis to persuade them to give refugees their rights and prevent deportation.

The government has built a sub-section of the prison Ktziot on the border with Egypt for all refugees, including small children and infants. Men and women are separated, as well as children from their parents. Discussions are underway with Egypt to promise to stop deporting refugees to Sudan and to stop shooting at refugees, despite the fact that past promises made by Egypt with European countries have been broken. Egypt has recently declared is will not take in any Sudanese refugees who were in Israel. Advisors to a number of relevant ministers have said they cannot meet directly with refugees because it is "not one of their priorities." One minister said he "works to only help citizens" and cannot help us.

We work with tens of other NGOs who assist refugees, including Amnesty International and the Hotline for Migrant Workers, as well as countless religious and secular youth groups, political parties, interest groups, and unions.

Masses of Israeli citizens, soldiers, and journalists have been helping refugees: the compassion of the average Israeli to help and protect refugees has been phenomenal. In light of our own history, and as a democratic and free state, it is crucial that this widespread support of refugees is translated into a local government policy, and an international agreement, that strives to give asylum to those who fled genocide. Refugees of genocide have the basic right to life, and must be provided immediate asylum.

What ISR has done so far:

1) For the past year, students at Ben Gurion University responded to the needs of refugees thrown on the streets of Beer Sheva, having jsut arrived from Egypt. They provided the initial food, clothing, and guidance with the help of the Hotline for Migrant workers. They continue to help refugees, all of whom the government has not given refugee status or basic rights to education or healthcare.

2) Refugees from Darfur and Southern Sudan gave testimonials in front of hundreds of students at events in BGU and Hebrew University.

3) A panel of professors and experts, including MK Ran Cohen and ASAF founder Yiftach Milo spoke at Givat Ram at Hebrew University.

4) Major protests drew hundreds to the Rose Garden, with speakers MK Ran Cohen and MK Braverman speaking against deportation (Braverman's current position seems less supportive, even though the total number of supportive MKs has risen).

5) Students have debated on radio and television talk shows in the local and foreign media, as well as written editorials.

6) Over 100 refugees camped out with students outside the Knesset for a week. The students headed a team of thousands of volunteers and donors. This was covered throughout the weak by every media network in Israel and countless international networks.

7) A petition against the deportation of refugees, initiated by ISR, was signed by sixty-three Members of Knesset, including government ministers. This proves that the majority of MKs support a just and humane solution for Sudanese refugees in Israel.

8) Students continue to work tirelessly to find solutions for every refugee that has come to Israel.

9) We are meeting with ministers and other policy makers on a weekly basis, arranging meetings between ministers and refugees whenever security clearance is given.

We are looking for the volunteers in the following areas:

Lobbying:

1) Setting up meetings with policymakers and government representatives. This requires extensive hours of letter writing, telephone calls, initiative, and not taking mean comments government aids personally.
2) Putting together collective information packets—including testimonials, articles and invitations to events—to mail to policy makers.
3) Being a persuasive speaker at meetings.
4) Inviting MKs to attend and sometimes speak at events planned by ISR.

Event coordinating:

1) Coordinating locations, dates, equipment, and all logistics for events—including testimonials, protests, and panels.
2) Inviting refugees to speak, as well as policy makers and leaders in NGOs who are helping bring refugees their rights.
3) Advertising: very important, very strait forward, very tiring, but sometimes fun and always, when done right, rewarding.

Collecting donations:

1) Finding storage facilities for rent or for free, preferably in the center town/s where donations can be brought to.
2) Answering your cell phone and telling people where exactly to bring donations to and where to send them for financial donations. For the week when were in the Rose Garden in front of the Knesset, literally thousands of people brought donations because they knew exactly where to go. We do not have a location now, so we cannot collect.
3) Advertising, via e-mail, flyers, and announcements, that we are looking for donations.

Having a car and driving it to different locations, often at the last minute (if gas money is a problem, we can reimburse you for that):

1) Refugees are entering Israel on a weekly basis, and refugees within Israel need help on a weekly basis. We often need a person to drive a refugee, bring volunteers, or deliver equipment.
2) Organizing a list of people with cars who are ready at a moments notice, as well as volunteers, with or without cars, who can help at a moments notice.

Teaching:

1) Helping find classroom, living room, parks, etc. to teach reading and writing in Hebrew and/or English to children and/or adults.
2) Teaching on a weekly basis.
3) Bring books, paper, and pencils, which will be reimbursed if needed, to assist in teaching.


For information call:

In Jerusalem:
Mollie Gerver – 050-324-1522
Keren Klass: 054-676-9379

In Beer Sheva:
Yoni Masi: 054-578-0614