Knesset Approves Motion to Stop Deporting Migrant Workers’ Kids

The Knesset approved on Wednesday, December 4, the first reading of a proposal to stop the arrest and deportation of Israel-born children of migrant workers. The proposal, which was submitted by MKs Ofer Cassif (Hadash – Joint List), Miki Haimovich (Blue & White), and Nitzan Horowitz (Meretz), passed its first reading almost unanimously with 14 votes for, and one against.

Hadash MK Ofer Cassif (standing, third from left) at the Knesset with migrant workers and their Israel-born children on Wednesday, December 4

Hadash MK Ofer Cassif (standing, third from left) at the Knesset with migrant workers and their Israel-born children on Wednesday, December 4 (Photo: UCI)

MK Cassif tweeted following the vote that “the road is still a long one, but today we filed a motion against the deportation of the children of migrant workers that were born and raised here, and we succeeded. The next step is that the regulating committee will hopefully make a decision to stop the illegal deportation and incarceration of these children.”

According to Filipina mothers association, UCI (United Children in Israel), “The message is clear: the arrests and deportation of children must be stopped until a thorough discussion by a permanent government is made, when the best interests of the children and the regulation of their status in their homeland Israel will be the main goal.”

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