A new enforcement campaign targeting African migrants will be launched in six weeks, Interior Minister Eli Yishai announced Wednesday. Yishai’s announcement came after the campaign was granted approval by the Prime Minister’s Office.

Yishai said that the campaign is set to be launched on October 15, highlighting his office will grant assistance to any migrant who will leave Israel voluntarily before that date. Any migrant who will not leave on his own, Yishai stated, will be arrested and be faced with expulsion.

During the campaign, Yishai said, for the first time Sudanese migrants will also be arrested. Israel currently defines Sudan as an “enemy state,” and as such Israel is unable to deport Sudanese citizens back to home.

“This is yet another step in the transition from talk to action,” Yishai said. “Anyone who wishes to continue talking and appearing in front of a future investigation committee – let him talk. Anyone who wishes to promise a Jewish Zionist state for his children should act. I choose to act.”

Yishai said he intends to throw his full weight behind receiving a legal approval that would allow to arrest and deport Eritrean migrants.

For more, go to Haaretz.com

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