The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
June 13, 2012

Israel Detains Scores of African Immigrants in Major Sweep 
-----------------------------------------------------------


 
Israel has rounded up scores of mostly African immigrants in a
coordinated sweep to begin deportations. Around 240 people have been
detained in recent days and another 300 have reportedly agreed to be
deported voluntarily. The roundup has sparked allegations of racism for
targeting mainly people of African descent. At a rally in Tel Aviv,
African migrant Guy Jospeh said immigrants are facing a crackdown inside
Israel.

Guy Joseph: "We are demonstrating to fight for the refugee's rights,
because last two weeks ago, like Israelis they started attacking the
refugees in the streets. And we are against the violence, the violence
is enough that has been happening to us in our homeland and we are
looking for the safest place that we can get our rights."

In addition to the roundup, Israel has drawn criticism for a recent law
that allows for the detention of migrants without charge for up to three
years. In a statement, Human Rights Watch said the measure "punishes
refugees in violation of international law."

 

.