Israel considers sending police force to S. Sudan

Foreign Ministry says Israel considering UN request but won't put officers in harm's way

Itamar Eichner|Published: 04.19.12 , 15:04

Israel is considering sending a police force to South Sudan to assist the UN, the Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported Thursday.

The UN has approached Israel on the matter, and on Wednesday Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon met Robert Orr, a top aide for UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon, and told him that Israel was considering the possibility of sending 14 police officers to the African country.

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Israel's final decision is being delayed due to the war that broke out between Sudan and South Sudan recently.

Foreign Ministry officials said Israel would not send the officers if there is any chance that their lives would be in danger. "The Foreign Ministry has recommended sending the officers to South Sudan, but we must examine the issue further. The situation there is unclear," one official said.

Israel recently decided to deport 1,000 refugees from South Sudan back to their country of origin beginning April 1. However, the Jerusalem Magistrates' Court issued an injunction against the expulsion of migrants from South Sudan before April 15 due to the volatile security situation there.