Tuesday, Sept 02, 2008
The expulsions, which occurred Aug. 23-29, were described in an affidavit presented to the High Court of Justice, The Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday. The newspaper said it had obtained a copy of the affidavit.
Four months ago, the army presented its procedures to the high court, which include not expelling refugees who could face death or torture in their home countries.
The Africans were from Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan.
In the affidavit, officials said the expulsion was coordinated with Egypt and the refugees would face legal procedures there.
"The policy of 'coordinated return' grossly violates Israel's legal obligations towards refugees fleeing for their lives, and
the first one is the prohibition to return refugees to the place where their lives are in danger or where they might be tortured," said Anat Bendor, a lawyer for Hotline for Migrant Workers that the Africans would be allowed to remain there.
Source: UPI, Sept 02, 2008