TEL AVIV, Israel—The Israeli Cabinet approved on Sunday a plan for constructing a barrier along the Israel-Egypt border. The Israeli government has long been concerned about its unobstructed southwestern border, from which tens of thousands have infiltrated the country.
The Israel-Egypt border spans 150 miles of desert from Israel’s Kerem Shalom kibbutz to Taba Border Crossing and south to Eilat. The area has been used for drug trafficking and human trafficking, which Israeli security forces, including special army units, have been fighting with limited success.
The barrier is also meant to prevent smuggling of goods.
Tens of thousands have crossed that border in recent years. Many have come from Africa through Egypt to Israel seeking asylum, mostly from Eritrea and Sudan, but also from other African countries. While most of them apply for refugee status, some in the government believe that many come only to improve their economic conditions.
Hundreds of refugees from Darfur who entered Israel through Egypt have been granted visas by the Israeli government. Most of the other asylum seekers’ status has not been decided yet.
“There is broad agreement that we need to protect the state of Israel and its future as a Jewish and democratic state,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday in an official statement. “We cannot allow the current situation to continue.”
Netanyahu added that because of Israel’s economic stability, “the quantity of infiltrators will only increase.”
“This has security and demographic consequences vis-à-vis illegal entry into the labor market, drug trafficking, human trafficking, etc. Building a fence is a great and important national necessity, as we look forward toward the future of the state of Israel", he added.
The Israeli government is concerned over the potential of millions of Africans trying to enter Israel, which could affect the demographic situation in Israel. About $360 million will be allocated to the construction of the barrier in 2010-2013.
The Israel-Egypt border spans 150 miles of desert from Israel’s Kerem Shalom kibbutz to Taba Border Crossing and south to Eilat. The area has been used for drug trafficking and human trafficking, which Israeli security forces, including special army units, have been fighting with limited success.
The barrier is also meant to prevent smuggling of goods.
Tens of thousands have crossed that border in recent years. Many have come from Africa through Egypt to Israel seeking asylum, mostly from Eritrea and Sudan, but also from other African countries. While most of them apply for refugee status, some in the government believe that many come only to improve their economic conditions.
Hundreds of refugees from Darfur who entered Israel through Egypt have been granted visas by the Israeli government. Most of the other asylum seekers’ status has not been decided yet.
“There is broad agreement that we need to protect the state of Israel and its future as a Jewish and democratic state,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday in an official statement. “We cannot allow the current situation to continue.”
Netanyahu added that because of Israel’s economic stability, “the quantity of infiltrators will only increase.”
“This has security and demographic consequences vis-à-vis illegal entry into the labor market, drug trafficking, human trafficking, etc. Building a fence is a great and important national necessity, as we look forward toward the future of the state of Israel", he added.
The Israeli government is concerned over the potential of millions of Africans trying to enter Israel, which could affect the demographic situation in Israel. About $360 million will be allocated to the construction of the barrier in 2010-2013.
