Yishai orders 250 illegal aliens released
Interior minister orders 250 foreign workers arrested as part of controversial 'Gedera-Hadera' protocol be released from detention, but says mass deportation still ahead
Interior Minister Eli Yishai ordered the release of 250 illegal aliens arrested as part of the now-annulled "Gedera-Hadera" protocol applied by the Immigration Authority's Oz Task Force.
The protocol, which has been in effect for the past 18 months, forbade illegal aliens and refugees from residing in the central region of Israel, between the cities Gedera and Hadera, has been severely criticized, leading to its eventual annulment.
The Interior Ministry will be informing the courts of the change in policy on Monday.
"This policy created a combination of a social and economical problems in the northern and southern periphery towns," Yishai told Ynet. Adding that despite the decision to annul the policy and postpone the final decision on a deportation by three months, "We will initiate a mass deportation of foreign workers."
