although gifted to them by israeli donors, i hope these people are encouraged to leave or find lives elsewhere. the last thing israel needs are somalian and sudanese muslim immigrants who will be lobbying for somalian/muslim immigration to israel

Amazing. Strong people that want to better their lives and be wel educated people. After a story like that they deserve to be examples of humanity. Experiencing one of the worst things in life and still going on and staying strong. After reading this article elan, all you have to say is 'hope they leave Israel afther their education'? Your sir, are one inhumane individual. And if the majority of the Jews think that way then it's very frightening . The chosen people does not mean you can treat the rest like crap and discriminate. I thought pride and arrogance were sins and bad in all of the religions. How come you want them out of the country so badly?

country. How many of these refugees must we take in? Why isn't the border fence started? It is nice that these refugees study at the I.D.C., but why weren't scholarships provided instead to veterans of the I.D.F.? These scholarships could have gone to those that defend our land. Must we always look after illegals and not take care of our own? The world will still hate us, even if we took in a million refugees and fed and housed them. Anyone hiring an illegal should be fined and imprisoned for 6 months.

we are damaging israel, they will kick our butts off , take over and rule!!!!!!!!!!!

The work on the fence was supposed to begin in August 2010.

but Israel is supporting IDF veterans, and you say give scholarships to them instead? well then you're basically saying, "let's give everyone in Israel a scholarship". It's a private school, and they're not funded by the government. these students have PRIVATE donors. People who admire their courage and understand their deplorable situation. And, FURTHERMORE...if you'd actually read the article as written you'd see that they don't plan on staying here forever. They both want to go back to their home countries and have a positive change, after learning all that they can while they're here.

should be broadcasted to the world media, to match the continuous pro palestinian slander quoting Israel a racist country. Why don't african refugees choose to settle in arab countries?

There is next to no violence in Arad! The Somalis here (and perhaps other refugees too) cause no problems and they do all the menial jobs in the Dead Sea hotels. I see many very night and they are courteous and friendly. Many of the Bedouin have now opened shops and many of the young ones wear gel in their hair etc. I am right wing but happy that there is integration. I made Aliyah from the UK and wish that I could say the same about the Muslims there, and in the rest of Europe. Michael

When the numbers are small the problems are limited and as you say they work in jobs at the Dead Sea hotels. But once this number increases 5 fold or ten fold then there will not be enough jobs and trouble will begin. Just go to France or Belgium and take a good look.

to know these two individuals, and am extremely happy that they found a way to make a life in Israel, and to get an education that they can put towards good use. With it (their education) and their boundless determination, I believe they will be able to affect a real, positive change in this world. For all of you saying a fence should be created to keep them out...I'm ashamed to live in the same country as you, and wish you would remember your past. I thought the Jewish people knew a thing or two about escaping persecution and extermination. I hoped that Israelis would be more sympathetic to their plight. Guess I was wrong...

i am appalled with the indifference of some of these talkbacks. While i firmly believe in the importance of a Jewish state of Israel, it is important never to forget our roots. Jews have been persistently and mercilessly persecuted throughout Europe for a millenia. wheres the compassion? wheres the understanding? where is the exact same moral and ethical values direct from the torah? hypocrisy at it's worst. i personally have the immense pleasure of being well acquainted with these fine upstanding gentlemen- they are both amazing, unique, bright, and caring individuals. they have struggled and endured some of the worst tragedies in this modern age. and the very fact that you can read such a moving article about them and reply with such callous indifference horrifies me. the jewish people are supposed to be a "light unto the nations." with such a disgusting discriminatory and callous attitude towards your fellow man, perhaps you do indeed deserve the enmity of the world. shape up, or gtfo of my country, you insufferable self-righteous bigots.

I have followed these talkbacks, and others in similar threads, for a few days with a sick feeling growing in my stomach. I will move to Israel soon and, no, I am not Jewish. This accident of birth, the same accident that makes all of us who we are, seemed set to earn me the hatred of people who would never meet me. At least I, unlike these men, have somewhere safe to return to if things don't work. Yet, it wasn't the bigots, those who hate in strident voices, who disturbed me most. Bigots are easy to handle: one can laugh them off. One can challenge them and ignore their hatred, seeing it for what it is: the rage of small and insecure people who lash out at the unknown. What disturbed me was the silence of thousands who must have read this poison and shrugged, passed it by without comment. Their silence lends moral support to the bigots and makes the darkness so much more oppressive. When will good people say something, I asked myself? The answer, sadly, was that I thought everyone agreed. At least, agreed enough not to step up and say "NO!". Thank you Dan for lighting a candle in the darkness, for acting on your indignation and for simply saying "NO!". It only takes a small voice to break a silence, only takes a small light to dispel the darkness and I thank you for it. And thank you for recognising it as indifference, one of the biggest sins we can commit against our fellow men. Elie Wiesel said: "Indifference is not a beginning, it is an end. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor -- never his victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten. The political prisoner in his cell, the hungry children, the homeless refugees -- not to respond to their plight, not to relieve their solitude by offering them a spark of hope is to exile them from human memory. And in denying their humanity we betray our own. " I am glad that someone spoke out. That someone kept the Light burning against a wall of darkness.

I live in tel aviv and very close to the old central bus station where many of the refugees live. They are a welcome element in the country, work hard and do try to integrate. There is conflict in the neighborhood between the original community and this new wave of immigrants. But I believe most of this is based on racisim (they are not Jewish and black) just like the talkbackers. I am glad they are now a part of the fabric of tel aviv and I think they contribute to this city.

You are mistaking. it is the Golan Height, SYRIA. get your records strait

Alas, we Jews find ourselves in one of the greatest predicaments. Having barely survived the Holocaust, we as a people know what it is like to seek refuge amidst genocide only to be rejected. On that front, we would be hypocritical to reject these refugees (as FDR did to us on after Kristallnacht, to which most of us returned to Europe only to find ovens and gas chambers). On the other hand, we as a nation are facing a major demographic problem. If this isn't dealt with, there were be no more Jewish State, making Israel completely meaningless. How to remain a majority without compromising our values and dignity? The extremists on both sides of this debate sell out their Jewish character in my opinion. So I put it to those on this post to find a middle ground.

If, heaven forbid, Israel allows a new terror state in arise in the heart of our sole, tiny Homeland - Jews would face genocide once again. Israel would be completely defenseless, with an 8 mile waist. Foreign troops would have a mere three hour jaunt to cut our state in half. Every single Israeli city and town would fall under terrorist rockets. Meanwhile, we'd be inundated by hostile Arabs. The "peace talks" with the P.A. are intended to do all these terrible things. Stop the next genocide by ending "peace talks" with the P.A.

I suggest you take in these invaders and house them in your home and allow them to use your bathroom and toilet. Try it for a month and then lets see what you'll say then....Pandy Andy Dimwit. I bet you, you hate religious Jews more than you love Israel.

I agree with everything you say and admire your humanity compared to the racists who think they are approaching welcoming ears. Except where you refer to the, "original community". Can you say "Palestinian"??!