Yishai to Sara Netanyahu: Deportation of kids necessary
'Children facing deportation should not pay price for government's lack of clear policy,' organizer says. Interior minister Yishai rejects Sara Netanyahu's plea, says decision made with 'Israel's future in mind'
Some 2,000 people marched in Tel Aviv Saturday evening against the government's decision to deport 400 children of migrant workers.
The protestors waved signs reading, "No to deportation" and "Unconditional citizenship for the kids". They also called on Interior Minister Eli Yishai (Shas) to resign.
"The large number of people who showed up proves that the sane public in the country is against deporting the 400 children. They should not have to pay the price for the government's lack of a clear policy," said Rotem Ilan, founder of Israeli Children, an NGO leading the fight against the deportation of migrant children.
Esther, who arrived from the Philippines some 13 years ago, marched along with her five-year-old daughter Jordan. "I hope I won't get deported. It's not fair that some (migrants) get to stay (in Israel) while others are expelled," the mother said.
"It's not easy to leave, and it's even more difficult to explain to my daughter why her friends are staying here while she has to leave the country."
Jordan said, "I love Israel and want to stay here with my friends."
On Friday it was reported that the prime minister's wife, Sara Netanyahu sent a letter to Interior Minister Yishai, asking him to prevent the deportation of 400 migrant workers' children from Israel in accordance with the government's decision from early August.
According to the Channel 2 report, she discussed the matter with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several times, until she reached the decision to expression her opinion.
In response to the letter, the minister's office said he "made it clear that the policy is being implemented out of concern for the future of the state and people of Israel.
"Yishai has mentioned in the past that there is a committee headed by him which was erected to deal with irregular cases, and if Mrs. Netanyahu knows of these types of cases then she should talk to the committee," a source close to Yishai said after he met with the prime minister's wife on Saturday.
In her letter, Sara Netanyahu wrote, "Dear Eli, I appeal to you as a mother of two young boys and a psychologist in the public service. I am asking you, from the bottom of my heart, to use the authority granted to you by the government decision and allow the vast majority of the 400 remaining children to stay in Israel.
"It is the State of Israel's duty to find a solution for these children. I would like to believe that my calls have somewhat contributed to the prime minister's stance that some 800 out of the 1,200 children should stay… I am convinced that in this case as well you can find creative solutions for this group of foreign workers' children in the frame of the government decision and the authority bestowed on you by law as interior minister, and in a manner that will not affect the immigration policies and national interests of Israel as a Jewish state," the prime minister's wife added.
Roni Sofer contributed to the report
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