Israel To Grant Citizenship To Darfur Refugees

Bowing to pressure from Jewish groups outside Israel and from activists inside the country, Israel has decided to grant Israeli citizenship to a few hundred refugees from Darfur. The exact number – Israel calls this its "quota" – will be determined in negotiations between Israel and the United Nations. Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit explained the government's decision, reached after months of refusing to aide the refugees:

"Israel, with its history, must offer assistance," he said. "It can't stand by and shut its eyes. But a quota must be set."

The Associated Press noted that it was not clear what would happen to those refugees who do not receive citizenship. Israel has previously tried to expel African refugees to Egypt – even those refugees fleeing genocide. Egypt is said to mistreat the refugees.