Rahm Emanuel to Israel: Keep Darfur Refugees

[Purveyor]

Is Israel being hypocritical by turning away Darfur refugees who cross into the country from Egypt? House Democratic Caucus Chairman, Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) seem to think just that. Yesterday, he sent a letter to Israeli Ambassador to the US Sallai Meridor. Here it is in full:

Dear His Excellency Ambassador Meridor:

The British Broadcasting Corporation reports today that Israel has returned 48 Sudanese people to Egypt and intends to refuse entrance to refugees from the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan.

I am writing today to express my disappointment that Israel would turn away any person fleeing from persecution. I understand the concern the State of Israel has for maintaining the integrity of her borders, but if any country should understand the special needs of those affected by the genocide in Darfur, it should be Israel. Since its founding, Israel has been committed to finding homes for those who suffer at the hands of war and despair. The international community looks to Israel as a land of hope and sanctuary.

In 1948, the Jewish Diaspora finally had a place to call home. I hope that the state of Israel will reconsider its decision to turn away those refugees who must flee Darfur to avoid death and persecution so that the Sudanese people can find asylum in a state that was founded to be a home and a place of hope for those who had suffered similarly.

Sincerely,
Rahm Emanuel
Member of Congress


---EOE---

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/rosnerBlog.jhtml?itemNo=865078

[shance]

1. I wonder if he's concerned about the Palestinian refugees?

n/t