The Prison Visit: My friend Sarah and I visited a man named Isaac (a Christian from Southern Sudan). Although his English was broken and difficult to understand, he explained a rough overview of the situation that he has faced over the past several years. At the time, we attended to Isaacs needs, and worked with him to make a short list of what he needs during his stay in prison. We also found out that he will be released to a Kibbutz or Mushav in the North to replace migrant Thai workers that have been expelled from Israel. Oddly, the prison that Isaac is being held in actually has nicer accomodations than the Kibbutz I stayed in shortly after coming to Israel-yes, I am indeed bitter. Since our meeting, the group I was with has begun to organize efforts to assist in whatever way we can. It is understandable (from a political and international security standpoint) as to why they are in prison, the Israeli government recognizes the issues at hand and is indeed dealing with them (as well as a slow buracracy can). Also, we have begun to solicit funds from our home communities to spark fundraising efforts for the various non-profit groups in Israel that help benefit Darfur refugees in Israel (so that the buracracy goes a little faster). Israel is a small country and has very limited means, but it is unacceptable for a country founded by genocide refugees to let these people fall through the cracks. Thankfully Israel understands that and is doing what it can.
Special thanks to Andrew Brehm for bringing this to my attention. I really hope those Sudanese will have a better life in Israel. They deserve some peace of mind.
SudaneseThinker
SudaneseThinker
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Makes me feel optimistic for a change. Excruciatingly slow as our bureaucracy may be, at least the end result is good. I just hope it keeps going like this.
Thank you for this story.
hey that’s a coincidence. not long ago i just wrote something on my blog about it
(different sudanese refugees - and a lot less cheerful)
Guys…
To be fair…the Israeli buracracy (never could spell that word) treats EVERYBODY like shit…and slow…though I hear it is much worse in other parts of the world.
I hear the folks are being treated decently and I thank God for that.
I agree Howie, say what you will about the collection of evil bastards that make up our civil services, they treat every single person like dirt.
Unless you’re someone’s cousin’s brother’s son that is, in which case you call up that someone and he/she gets everything done, up to and including calling a minister to sort things out. Ah, Israel…
Roman - ah, the pleasures of protektziyot
BTW, in most areas of the North, the speed and quality of government service is determined by your clan if you’re Arab or Bedouin: most of the government clerks there are Arabs or Bedouins. And Gods help you if you happen to be Jewish - then it’s up to how generous the clerk is feeling
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