Interior Ministry Formulating New ‘Infiltrator Law’
September 30, 2014Just over a week since the High Court controversially shot down the so-called “Infiltrator Law”, which sought to tackle the problem of tens of thousands of illegal immigrants from Africa residing in Israel, the Interior Ministry appears to be pushing back by announcing plans to initiate new legislation in its place.
The High Court’s decision was widely condemned by legislators, who saw it as an infringement on Israel’s democratically-elected leadership by an unelected institution notorious for judicial activism in favor of “left-wing” causes.
Interior Minister Gidon Sa’ar noted that the decision marked the second time in a single year that the High Court intervened in legislation regarding infiltrators, which was approved by large majorities in two different Knessets. The previous Infiltrator Law was completely annulled by the High Court. Following this, the present law was passed, and now the court has effectively annulled it as well.
Others noted that the Infiltrator Law – which allowed for the indefinite detention of illegals pending deportation – had succeeded in cutting crime significantly in areas where a high concentration of illegal immigrants has led to a dramatic increase in crime, and particularly violent crime.
The precise contents of the new proposal by the Interior Ministry is not yet known, but the very announcement is undoubtedly a signal that Israeli legislators are pushing back against the court’s interference.
Meanwhile, the ministry published figures showing that in the month of September 363 infiltrators left the country voluntarily – a significant increase on the same month last year, during which just 135 chose to leave.
Altogether, 5,751 illegals have left Israel since the start of 2014. The increasing number of illegals leaving the country was largely down to the Infiltrator Law, and the fear is that the High Court’s decision could undermine efforts to repatriate the tens of thousands who remain.
Precise numbers are difficult to come by, but most estimates place the figure of illegal immigrants at around 60,000 in total – a large number considering Israel’s relatively small population.
Similar posts
-
Israel Is Held To A Higher Standard Than Any Country
April 25, 2024In the intricate tapestry of global affairs, one nation stands out for enduring scrutiny and condem...
-
Israel Has The Most Moral Military In The World
April 10, 2024In the heart of a region often riddled with conflict, Israel stands out not only for its technologi...
-
The Resilience of the Israeli People
April 2, 2024Visitors from around the world have seen Hamas's October 7th Massacre's destruction in southern Isr...
-
Israel: Small Size, Big Impact
March 21, 2024Nestled along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is a land of immense historical sig...
-
Israelis Are Fighting For Their Lives
February 21, 2024By Jonathan S. Tobin The world looks a lot different from Kibbutz Kfar Aza than it does in the U...
-
Over 2 Million Arabs Live In Israel
January 23, 2024In the complex landscape of the Middle East, where diverse cultures and identities intersect, Israe...
-
'Fauda' Star Idan Amedi Injured Fighting in Gaza
January 8, 2024Despite the severity of his injuries, Amedi's father assured Israeli news channels that his life is...
-
Israel Is A Great Country To Live In
December 28, 2023Nestled at the crossroads of the Middle East, Israel stands as a vibrant and dynamic nation, offeri...