Israel to deport South Sudanese

Jerusalem, March 19 (IANS) Israel will begin deporting thousands of South Sudan nationals from April following rising distress over the inflow of African refugees and labour migrants through its western border with Egypt.

"They (the South Sudanese slated for deportation) were not awarded the status of refugees, which is why they can be expelled. We are working in accordance with a government decision," Xinhua quoted a spokeswoman for Israeli Population and Immigration Authority as saying.

The Israeli authorities notified the South Sudanese in early January that they must leave Israel by March 31, said spokeswoman Sabin Hadad.

Every adult is entitled to receive financial assistance worth 1,000 euros (about $1,317), as well as a free flight back home, she said.

On Saturday, several hundred people rallied in Tel Aviv to protest against the deportation plan.

They urged the Israeli government to halt the deportation until the situation in South Sudan stabilises so as to ensure the infiltrators' safe return.

The Israeli authorities maintain that the newly-established South Sudan's independence enables the safe return of their nationals.

It is estimated that 30,000 Africans, many of whom fled civil wars and other humanitarian crises in their countries, currently reside in Israel. Some 3,000 of them are from South Sudan, while others come from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast.