Meetings with Ministers

“It is not our responsibility. Go to the Ministry of Internal Security. It is their responsibility.”

When trying to set up meetings with Ministers of the Knesset regarding the situation of Sudanese refugees in Israel, this is a common response given.

And the response I give back, over and over again, is: “Duh. Of course it is not your responsibility. Of course it is the responsibility of Interior Defense. That is why we are turning to you: It aught to be your responsibility.”

In addition to being a defense issue, it is a legal issue. According to Israeli law, all children in Israel, regardless of their status, are entitled to education and health care. In the case of refugees fleeing Southern Sudan and Darfur, they have been not given these benefits until now. Those children in Ktziot will not be starting school this September. It is illegal to deport refugees, as was done with the 48 deported to Egypt two weeks ago.

Second, it is a humanitarian issue: refugees fleeing from Genocide in Sudan and later abuse in Egypt should be given at least the basic right of freedom of movement and unification with their families, all of which are taken from them once they cross the barbed wire of Ktztiot.

Third, it is international issue: other nations have the frameworks to absorb refugees; Jewish foundations and organizations abroad have the recourses and the interest to help refugees. Why have these foreign bodies not been taken into account by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Finally, it is a defense issue. Which is why we need to check the status of each and every refugee regardless of his or her background: this is to assure that none are affiliated with any terrorist organizations, and that none are trying to harm the security and peace within Israel’s borders.

Unfortunately, in justifying putting the issue under the responsibility of Internal Security, the Prime Ministers Office and Minister of Internal Security Avi Dictar are relying on blatant, shallow stereotypes as to the motives of refugees. “Most are not from Darfur, so they must be work migrants,” we are told. The problem is not only that this is not politically correct and not nice; this is a huge hindrance in the ability of security personnel to check the backgrounds of those entering Israel.

The Ministry of Internal Security has an irking contradiction that makes me worry as to its ability to truly provide defense:

“We are positive that most ‘infiltrators’ are here to find work.”
“We have no idea who is here to find work, so we should send them all to Ktziot or deport them.”

It is no one’s responsibility except for Avi Dictar’s. And students. And refugees themselves. And the Hotline for Migrant Workers. And Jewish organizations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It is everyone’s responsibility except for the representatives who we have elected to take responsibility.