On January 10, 2012, Israel passed a law that allows authorities to detain anyone for any reason called the “Prevention of Infiltration Law”. Amnesty International states that this law is aimed at people who cross into Israel through the Egyptian border and is a direct threat to those seeking asylum. Amnesty also states that Israel does not have the right to label and treat immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers as criminals and invaders. Israel is held to the 1951 Refugee Convention that it signed and by international law to help those seeking asylum.
As Israel has had a long history of being refugees themselves, the Israeli government should be compassionate to refugees as they understand their situation. However, by implementing this law, they are not only harming refugees, they are harming themselves as they are isolating themselves from the people and the countries surrounding them.
Tell the Israeli government that this harmful law is unacceptable as it is against international law and is against their obligations to refugees.
We the undersigned demand that the Israeli government reverse its harmful “Prevention of Infiltration Law”. Allowing authorities to detain people for any reason is harmful to society as it promotes hatred and injustice. This law is aimed at refugees, asylum seekers and people who need help and support from the international community. As Israel is not only a member of the 1951 Refugee Convention but has had experience as refugees themselves, it is imperative that Israel sympathize with refugees as a large number of Israelis were once refugees themselves. Keeping a law like this in place will only further strain Israel’s relations with its neighbours as it promotes distrust.
Please show the world that you support refugees and asylum seekers by revoking this law.
Thank you.
