Israel cans deal on African migrants

Netanyahu bows to right-wing criticism in shock about-turn on UN agreement

ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled an agreement with the UN refugee agency yesterday aimed at avoiding forced deportations of thousands of African migrants only hours after announcing the deal himself. The stunning turnaround after Netanyahu had announced the accord in a televised address on Monday afternoon came as he faced mounting pressure from his right-wing base.

The UN refugee agency urged Netanyahu to reconsider. Monday’s announcement drew immediate anger from right-wing politicians, including Netanyahu allies, and many of his traditional supporters.

After the deluge of criticism, the premier said in a late-night Facebook post on Monday he was suspending the agreement that would have allowed thousands of the migrants to remain in Israel at least temporarily. Yesterday, he said the deal was being cancelled outright after holding discussions on it.

“After having heard numerous comments on the agreement, I have examined the pros and cons and have decided to cancel the agreement,” Netanyahu said.

The agreement was designed to end the possibility of forced deportations of thousands of migrants to Rwanda under a controversial plan put forward by Netanyahu in January. Under the agreement with the UN, a minimum of 16 250 migrants would have instead been resettled in Western nations.

In return, Israel would grant temporary residency to one migrant for each one resettled elsewhere.

A range of Netanyahu’s own ministers spoke out strongly against the deal, with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon saying he had known nothing of it until Monday.

Yesterday, Netanyahu held talks with residents of southern Tel Aviv, where many of the migrants live.

Dozens of migrants and their supporters also protested outside Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv.

The UN refugee agency, meanwhile, said it had found out about Netanyahu’s initial suspension of the agreement through news reports.

The agency, known as the UNHCR, said yesterday it hoped Netanyahu would change his mind about the cancellation.

“We continue to believe in the need for a win-win agreement and we hope that Israel will reconsider its decision soon,” spokesman William Spindler said.

There are about 42 000 African migrants in Israel, half of them children who are not facing immediate deportation.