Israel must reject Darfur refugees, rabbi says

Kiryat Arba rabbi Dov Lior rules Israel must not accept Sudanese refugees, because 'tomorrow they might join our enemies'

Taken from Ynet news, 05.17.07
By Neta Sel

Israel must not allow Darfur refugees into its territory or enable them to stay in the country, Kiryat Arba's rabbi Dov Lior said in a halachic ruling published on Arutz Sehva's website Wednesday.

"We are not currently in a state of peace. We are in a state of war, surrounded by enemies, and we don't know whether tomorrow they (the refugees) will join those who hate us," Rabbi Lior said. "Therefore, the State of Israel must not allow such a thing."




The rabbi added that the fact that Sudan fought against Israel during the War of Independence in 1948 was another reason why the refugees should be rejected.

The rabbi ruled on the matter after he was presented with a question regarding the absorption of 24 Darfur refugees in Beer Sheva last week, after both the army and the police refused to assume responsibility for them.