Emanuel Expresses Hope that Israel Will Reconsider Turning Away Darfuri Refugees

CHICAGO, IL—Today, U.S. Representative Rahm Emanuel (IL-5) released the following letter to His Excellency Ambassador Meridor, the current Israeli Ambassador to the United States, in response to reports that Israel has returned 48 Sudanese people to Egypt and intends to refuse entrance to refugees from the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan. Emanuel’s letter expresses his hope that the state of Israel will reconsider its decision.

The following is the text of the letter:

       August 20, 2007

Ambassador Sallai Meridor
Embassy of Israel
3514 International Dr. N.W.
Washington DC 20008

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