Crackdown
Israel Readies New Anti-African Crackdown
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.
Egypt Seals Gaza Smuggling Tunnels after Terrorists Kill 16 Border Guards: Islamist Crackdown
According to security officials Egypt has started to seal off smuggling tunnels into the Gaza Strip, just two days after gunmen shot dead 16 Egyptian border guards in an attack blamed partly on Palestinian Islamist terrorists. The tunnels, which are used to smuggle people to and from Gaza but also food and fuel. Israel accuses Hamas of transporting weapons into Gaza via tunnels from Egypt. Meanwhile, hundreds have mourned the death of 16 Egyptian police officers in a military funeral service with members of the public, the head of the military and senior officials marching in the procession. Egypt called the gunmen “infidels” and promised to launch a crackdown following the massacre that has strained ties with both Palestine and Israel.
Turkey Deploys Military to Syrian Border as Fighting in Aleppo Worsens: Crackdown on Rebels
The Turkish military is monitoring the Syrian border. Fighting continues in the city of Aleppo. Aleppo lies 40 kilometers from the Turkish border. Thousands of Syrians are fleeing into Turkey. Ferocious crackdown by Assad regime in Aleppo. Rebel forces continue to make inroads.
Iran Crackdown on Coffee Shops and Cafes: 'Morality Police' Arrest Women for 'un-Islamic' Acts
Authorities have shut down dozens of coffee shops and restaurants in Iran for allowing what the government considers immoral and un-Islamic behavior. Police officers and members of the so-called “morality police” raided 87 cafes and restaurants in a single district, arresting women for disobeying the Islamic dress code and shutting down coffee shops that allow women to smoke hookah pipes. The increasing popularity of coffee shops throughout Iran has angered conservative Iranians, who consider them a cultural imposition from the West. The latest crackdown comes after Iran barred women from watching the Euro 2012 football Championships in public places and banned Barbie dolls as well as dolls of characters from American cartoon show The Simpsons.
Israel Confronts Strangers In Its Midst
Immigrants living in Israel are posing deep questions about the broader society. The question is no longer merely vexing, it is urgent, and sometimes violent, writes Leonard Fein.
Deported Africans Face Struggle at Home
After being deported from Israel, scores of South Sudanese returned to their newly independent homeland. They blame racism for Israel’s crackdown on illegal African immigrants.
Israel Plans Softer Policy to Africans
A high-profile round-up of African immigrants may be just for show. Some say the Israeli government is laying the groundwork for a softer policy.