Yishai: Probe sedition against deportation

Interior minister urges attorney general to launch investigation against head of Kibbutz Movement's task force for calling on public to hide foreign workers' children

Reuters | Published: 09.07.10, 13:13

Interior Minister Eli Yishai on Tuesday sent a letter to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, demanding that he launch an investigation against head of the Kibbutz Movement's task force Yoel Marshak, who proposed hiding foreign workers' kids who are slated for deportation following a recent government decision.

"We cannot keep silent in light of these words of incitement and those who stand behind them," wrote the Shas chairman.

In his letter, Yishai expressed "vehement protest" over Marshak's public call, which he said "crudely tramples the rule of law and the government's decision."

On Monday night, officials at the Interior Ministry said that the Oz Unit will begin enforcing the deportation decision after the Jewish High Holidays.

Following the announcement, Marshak said that as soon as the first child is deported, they will round up on buses all the children slated for deportation, and disperse them between 22 kibbutzim, where volunteers will host them in their homes.

"We will act in the same manner the Palmach did," Marshak said, "Over the course of one night, they took the Jewish illegal immigrants off the ships and dispersed them between 280 kibbutzim.

Hide in a kibbutz? Foreign workers' kids in Tel Aviv (Photo: Yaron Brener)

"A day later the British police searched for them – but in vain. We should learn from our own history, and not inflict on these innocent children what was inflicted on us. Deporting the children is not a substitution or solution for the need to formulate a regulated immigration policy in the State," he noted.

Minister Yishai told Ynet that "Mr. Marshak was ruining the reputation of the entire Kibbutz Movement," and was acting out of personal desire for publicity.

"These are irresponsible remarks. If the wellbeing of these children would have mattered to him, he would have helped implement the government's decision. It's regretful that he harms innocent children for a few headlines in the media," he said.

'Struggle within legal framework'

Head of the Kibbutz Movement Zeev Shor renounced Marshak's statements and stressed that the Kibbutz Movement "will not participate in any illegal activity to stop the deportation of the foreign migrants' children."

According to Shor, "We object the government's decision and are acting to prevent the deportation by political and public means."

However, he added, "Israel is a law-abiding state, and our struggle against the government's decision will remain within the framework of the law."

In a final attempt to prevent the deportation, a mass protest rally will be held Tuesday evening in front of the Tel Aviv Cinematheque.

The event will feature a circle of drummers that will play with the migrant children, and poets who will take the stage and read songs against the deportation.