Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New Haven Joins JCPA in Urging Israel to Suspend Plan to Deport Eritrean and Sudanese Asylum-Seekers The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New Haven echoes and shares the sentiments expressed by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), the national network of JCRCs, in this statement. We join the JCPA in urging Israel to suspend the plan to deport Eritrean and Sudanese asylum seekers. We were heartened this morning to hear that the Jewish Agency for Israel released its statement urging the Israeli Government to grant Legal status to over 500 Young African Migrants, and to ensure that all migrants are afforded a transparent asylum application process. New York, NY – In response to the Government of Israel’s recent announcement that there are plans underway to deport the approximately 35,000 – 40,000 Eritrean and Sudanese asylum-seekers living in Israel to several African governments, including Uganda and Rwanda, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) issued the following statement: “JCPA recognizes Israel’s distinguished record of opening its doors to non-Jewish victims of genocide and human rights abuses, as it did with the Vietnamese refugees in the late 1970s, and those from the Balkans decades later. JCPA fully acknowledges Israel’s security concerns, and commends Israel’s efforts to secure its borders, which has significantly reduced rampant human trafficking and unauthorized immigration.  We urge the Government of Israel to balance such concerns with its historic commitment to welcoming the stranger and protecting refugees. “We urge the government to suspend its plan to deport Eritrean and Sudanese asylum-seekers who entered the country between 2007-12, and develop a comprehensive policy for non-Jewish asylum-seekers that safeguards human dignity and human rights, in compliance with Israel’s obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention. We believe that such a policy would ensure Israel’s security, and honor Israel’s values as a compassionate, Jewish and democratic state. “We ask that a refugee and asylum policy include a transparent and efficient system for processing asylum applications so that claims are resolved in a fair and timely manner. Applicants should receive a temporary status that ensures basic safety, stability, and dignity, including the ability to work legally and gainfully. The government should establish minimum standard for education, health, and welfare services. We also request that any resettlement to third countries should only involve those nations where asylum-seekers will be treated with dignity and guaranteed status and safety pursuant to international conventions.”     JCRC of Greater New Haven joins the Jewish Agency in calling on the Israeli Government to Grant Legal Status to Over 500 Young African Migrants, Ensure Transparent Asylum Application Process   The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New Haven echoes and shares the sentiments expressed by the Jewish Agency for Israel in the statement below. We join the Jewish Agency for Israel in urging Israel to grant legal status to more than five hundred young asylum seekers from Africa and to ensure that all migrants are afforded a transparent asylum application process. We urge the Israeli Government to suspend the imminent deportation order until "a fair, effective, and efficient refugee status determination process" has been established.   ZICHRON YA’AKOV, ISRAEL – The Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency for Israel has called on the Israeli government to grant legal status to more than five hundred young asylum seekers from Africa and to ensure that all migrants are afforded a transparent asylum application process. Meeting in the town of Zichron Ya’akov in northern Israel, the Jewish Agency board—the organization’s central policymaking body—noted the “broad attention” paid to the asylum seekers in Jewish communities around the world. Appealing to Minister of Interior Arye Deri following a letter on the subject sent to him by Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, the board called on the minister to “grant legal status to the more than five hundred young migrants who arrived in Israel years ago as unaccompanied minors and were integrated in the education system of youth villages operated by The Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Education.” “These youngsters have grown up in an Israeli educational environment, speak fluent Hebrew, are imbued with Israeli culture, and are loyal to the State of Israel,” the board noted. “Therefore, it is right that they be granted legal status.” The board also called on the Government of Israel to ensure that “every migrant has an opportunity to apply for asylum and receive transparent due process in the examination of their application” and announced the establishment of a task force to urgently study various solutions to the matter and issue recommendations to the board. The board also unanimously adopted a resolution reiterating its support for the Western Wall agreement and calling on the Government of Israel to implement it in full, as a reflection of the principle of “one wall for one people.” Brokered by Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky at Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request, the agreement was adopted by the Israeli government in January 2016 and subsequently suspended by the government in June 2017. Noting that construction has begun at the egalitarian prayer area ay Robinson’s Arch in an apparent effort to fulfill one element of the agreement, the board stated that all three of the agreement’s elements – “one entrance, inclusion in supervision and management of the site, and physical improvements to the site” – should be implemented by the government.     JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL BOARD OF GOVERNORS   February 2018                                                                          Adar 5778   Resolution   Whereas there is broad attention in our communities around the world to the decision of the Israeli Government regarding the imminent deportation of 38,000 African migrants; and Whereas a serious discussion of this issue was held at the Jewish Unity Committee by all The Jewish Agency’s constituent members;  Therefore, the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency hereby resolves: To appeal to the Government of Israel to ensure every migrant has an opportunity to apply for asylum, and receive transparent due process in the examination of their application.   To call on the Minister of Interior, following The Jewish Agency’s Chairman’s letter thereto, to grant legal status to the more than 500 young migrants who arrived in Israel years ago as unaccompanied minors and were integrated in the education system of youth villages operated by The Jewish Agency and the Ministry of Education. These youngsters have grown up in an Israeli educational environment, speak fluent Hebrew, are imbued with Israeli culture and are loyal to the State of Israel.  Therefore, it is right that they be granted legal status.   To set up a task force within the Board of Governors that will examine the issue with a view of submitting recommendations for further action to the Board.    This study should be completed as quickly as possible in light of existing deadlines for deportation.