African Refugees

Slightly random topic, considering I’m in Israel. Today’s optional lecture/tour was on African Refugees. It’s not really something that I ever thought of when I thought about Israel. And, apparently, up until a few years ago, it wasn’t something that was really an issue. The first refugees to come to Israel in mass came from Darfur. They had originally escaped to Egypt, but they weren’t treated well in Egypt, and they soon crossed into Israel.

Sudan is a mostly Arab country, mostly Muslim. Not exactly the demographic that likes the Jews. In fact, the Sudanese passports say specifically that the passports are valid everywhere, except Israel (Israel being the one and only exemption. So why would these people escape to Israel. Well, one, Israel is a fairly westernized country. But also, when asked, they responded “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

The first wave of refugees, as stated, came from Darfur to escape the atrocities that were occurring there. The first several hundred were given status in Israel. As for the other refugees who have since come (from Darfur, but also from south Sudan and Eritrea) have not been given any type of status. The question is, what to do to them.

There are two major issues that came up in this discussion. Both trace back to the reason behind Israel being established. We Jews were persecuted. Not only was the government not protecting us, but they were the ones condemning us, without cause. And when we tried to leave, no one wanted to give us refuge. This country was formed as a place of refuge. So how can we let others suffer through what was done to us?

At the same time, Israel was created specifically as a place of refuge for the Jews, since we had no other place to go. If we let in refugees from around the world, how will we be able to have the resources and space to allow Jews to come and take refuge is needed (or, hopefully, to come because they want to).

It’s a difficult question, and, as of now there isn’t really any legislation to deal with the issue.

So, after a conversation with a woman who works at the organization that helps both refugees and migrant workers, we went to talk to a man who came with the first wave from Darfur, one of the few who has actually gotten status. The 30 or so of us who went to the lecture crammed into his small computer store, and listened, enthralled. It’s one thing to hear about it, but it’s completely another to meet someone, to hear his story. I think our hearts all went out to him. All he wants is a place to live where he won’t be in fear of his life. All he wants from Israel is to be given information about how to acclimate himself to Israeli life. How to find work, what is needed to own a business, what the laws are… And, if the situation permits, to one day return to a peaceful Darfur, where he has fond childhood memories.