En route to the airport, Sunday
Photo: Reuters
Migrant deportees land in Juba
Some 123 South Sudanese migrants land safely in capital ahead of reuniting with families. Four Sudanese found among deportees; may be sent back to Israel
SOUTH SUDAN – The 123 South Sudanese migrants deported from Israel
Sunday landed in Juba, South Sudan,
on Monday.
Once in Juba, they were taken to a local military base for processing, ahead of being shuttled to their new place of residence.
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Upon landing it was discovered that four of the deportees were Sudanese – nationals of what is now north Sudan. Their status is now being reviewed and they may be returned to Israel.
The origin of the mix-up is unknown at this time, but as Israel and Sudan have no diplomatic relations, sending the migrants back to the northern territory would place them in imminent danger, and therefore contradicts the UN's High Commissioner for Refugees' international treaty, of which Israel is a part of.
Dozens of family members and friends awaited the returning migrants at the Juba Airport. The migrants told Ynet that their flight was comfortable and expressed overall contentment about returning to their homeland.
Still, some criticized the anti-refugee atmosphere in Israel, saying their situation was "unduly politicized."
Eldad Beck is Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth's special correspondent in South Sudan
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