African migrants protest Israeli policy
Photo: Yaron Brener
NIS 36 million spent on 'voluntary departure' of asylum seekers
Immigration Administration funds flights for Africans migrants, as well as gives them a grant of $3,500 each.
The Administration of Border Crossings, Population and Immigration has spent NIS 36 million to facilitate "voluntary departure" of African asylum seekers from Israel to other countries, a report detailing the administration's suppliers released Tuesday by the Movement for Freedom of Information shows.
The report from the Population and Immigration Administration reveals that no less than NIS 33 million went to the government travel agency to fund the "voluntary departure."
In addition, the Israel Post received more than NIS 1.9 from the administration and Change Place - a company which provides foreign currency exchange services - was paid NIS 363,500.
The Holot detention facility for African migrants (Photo: Reuters)
As part of the "voluntary departure" program, over 6,000 asylum seekers left Israel over the past two years. They were granted $3,500 each.
The United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has criticized the Israeli policy, saying this was not a "voluntary departure" as the only alternative left for African asylum seekers in Israel is to stay in jail.
The Administration of Border Crossings, Population and Immigration said in response: "Regarding the expenses on voluntary departure of illegal immigrants - there is a government policy according to which we operate in order to aid all of those who seek to willingly leave Israel. The expenses include, among other things, funding flights to those leaving as well as a grant of $3,500, as approved by the government."
The request for the information was filed by student Gal Markowitz from the Freedom of Information Law Clinic at the College of Management Academic Studies.
