Government OKs plan against infiltrators
Ministers unanimously approve Netanyahu's $168 million plan to deal with overflow of illegal refugees, after agreeing to cut 2% from their budgets for project
As a result, every ministry will be forced to cut 2% from its budget, including the Defense Ministry, which will allocate some NIS 300 million ($80 million) per year for the project.
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According to the bill, which still awaits the Knesset's approval, corporations who hire illegal refugees will be given a fine of up to NIS 75,000 ($20,074) and their business could face closure. In addition, the bill will be amended to extend the detention of infiltrators from 60 days to three years.
Netanyahu at government meeting Sunday (Photo: Reuters)
A new detention facility will be built as part of Netanyahu's plan, costing some NIS 250 million ($66 million) to build and another NIS 100 million ($26 million) to operate. If needed, the new facility could be expanded according to necessities.
Meanwhile, the current center will be expanded so it may hold 5,500 infiltrators, as opposed to only 2,000 detainees it holds today.
Hundreds of millions will also be invested in the ongoing construction of the security fence along the Egyptian-Israeli border.
'Dangerous phenomenon'
When the discussion concluded, Netanyahu added that "if need be, we'll shut down businesses so that the enterprise we call 'the State of Israel' won't shut down. I thank the ministers for their budgetary mobilization needed to take care of this phenomenon, which endangers the economy, society and the security of Israeli citizens."
Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu announced his intention to travel to Africa in order to study the issue of sending back illegal refugees to their native countries.
"This is an epidemic – in economics, society and internal security," he said during a cabinet meeting. "We are not obligated to accept illegal infiltrators. The refugees are a small drizzle in this steam. We'll continue to look after the refugees. We'll get washed away if we don't. It's no longer a choice but a necessity."
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