African migrants in Israel have all been ordered to leave the country or face jail term in a major crackdown on illegal migrants.
The Israeli government issued the notice which would affect thousands of African migrants who would be compensated to enable them travel back to their countries.
Each migrant is to be given up to $3,500 to leave to their home countries or are sent to Uganda or Rwanda.
All migrants who refuse to leave will be jailed by the government of Israel from April, the notice said.
Local media Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reports that people from Eritrea and Sudan make up a significant number of migrants in Israel.
The Prime Minister of Israel Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that allowing African migrants into the country unchecked is a threat to Israel’s Jewish character.
Most of those affected by the notice have claimed to have fled to Israel seeking asylum from persecution and conflict.
The UN refugee agency has described the move by Israel as a violation of international and Israeli laws.
The order however exempts children, elderly people and victims of slavery and human trafficking.
Source: Africafeeds.com
