Israel provides military aid to African state in return for taking refugees

Haaretz newspaper has reported that Israel is preparing to start a large-scale campaign to deport African immigrants after September’s Jewish holidays. It revealed that the Israeli government has reached an agreement with an unnamed African country to “absorb” the migrants in return for agricultural and other assistance, including sophisticated military technology.

“The deal includes the supply of artillery and mortars, surveillance equipment, fighter jet upgrades and probably unmanned aerial vehicles,” said Haaretz.

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s special envoy Hagai Hadas said that Israel should be able to send 90 per cent of the immigrants who arrived from Africa in recent years, especially from Sudan and Eritrea. The increase in their numbers has provoked a wave of anger and racism against the Africans in Israel.

Last year, Likud Knesset Member Miri Regev described African immigrants as a “cancer” in the state, accusing them of being behind the fear and lack of personal security in Tel Aviv neighbourhoods.