'Israel creating unnecessary drama'
Sudanese minister promises his country 'will find the way to deal with refugees'. Israel to continue aiding those fleeing Darfur until international solution is found
Sudanese Interior Minister Zubair Bashir Taha blamed Israel for using his country's refugee crisis to undermine Sudan's international reputation, Ynet has learned Monday.
In a press conference held in Khartoum Sunday, Taha said some 3,000 refugees had found their way to Israel via Egypt. About 40 percent of them are from southern Sudan and some 35 percent are from Darfur.
The Sudanese authorities, he added, would "find the appropriate way to deal" with those who "dared immigrate to Israel."
The Sudanese ministry of interior launched an official investigation into the immigration of refugees to Israel, especially as to why they stay in Egypt for a prolonged period before crossing over to Israel.
Sudanese child at Jerusalem's Rose Garden (Photo: AP)
"Has Egypt become the gateway to Israel or to Europe? We don't know where these people are headed...they know nothing about Israel," he said.
The Egyptian authorities, added Taha, are cooperating with the investigation into "this embarrassing matter."
Taha went on to blame Israel for trying to damage Sudan's international reputation, adding that he was sure Israel would keep on creating what he termed as "unnecessary drama."
Over the past six weeks, more than 1,000 refugees have crossed over from Egypt to Israel.
The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying that according to Israel's agreement with Egypt, refugees who did not flee Darfur would be returned to Egypt.
Israel would continue to accept those fleeing from the war-struck region until an international solution is found.
