Saddam's sons in Israel?
Photo: AP
'Saddam's sons' seek refugee status in Israel
Officials foil Iraqi family's bid to gain refugee status after discovering children named Uday, Qusay
A recent family of infiltrators seeking a safe haven in Israel caused several officials in the Foreign Ministry to stand up and takes notice. Officials were surprised to discover that two of the children are named Uday and Qusay, after the sons of former Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein.
The family, which consists of the two parents and their six children, recently infiltrated Israel through the Israeli-Egyptian border.
The family then arrived at the offices of the Interior Ministry and applied for refuge status, claiming they were from the war-torn region of the Sudan.
'First time Iraqis try to infiltrate Israel'
Suspicions were raised when it was discovered that two of the children, ages 12 and 13, were named after the sons of Saddam Hussein. After a short inquiry it was discovered that family members were not refugees from the Sudan, but rather, Iraqi citizens.
Rami Ovadia, one of the persons who investigated the case said that "This is the first instance where Iraqis infiltrate Israel, claiming to be persecuted Sudanese and apply for refugee status". The head of the immigration department at the Interior Ministry, Yakov Ganot, also commented that there has been an increase in the number of people applying for refuge status who are not entitled to it.
