Duplicity over Darfur?

moderator@openmindsblogspot.com — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 09:52:00 GMT

Since the intensification of the Darfur crisis in 2003, Muslims in the West have been accused of turning a blind eye to the estimated 400,000 people killed directly or indirectly by the actions of Sudanese Government and its sponsored militia – the Janjaweed. I felt this most vehemently as I toured universities lecturing on the situation faced by Palestinians.

Invariably, pro-Israeli students would accuse me of duplicity for not mentioning the plight of Africans in Darfur – despite the event under discussion being Palestine/Israel. On the part of British Jews, adverts in the Jewish Chronicle and other fringe Jewish papers certainly indicated their commitment to helping the 2 million Sudanese refugees and the 3 million surviving on handouts. These actions are highly commendable, and they did not stop at collecting donations but also lobbied and helped built momentum against the Sudanese government. A rally held outside Downing Street on April 29th under the banner "No more excuses, protect the people of Darfur," was supported by Union of Jewish students.

A booklet was also published in Conjunction with Pears Foundation titled “Darfur: A Jewish Response,” which was instrumental in mobilising a call for sanctions against the Sudanese government and helping to educate British Jews on the plight of the people in Darfur. Such facts receive little publicity and many remain unaware of the efforts made by the Jewish community promoting global justice. Similarly, Britain’s Muslims have been involved in charitable work for the people of Darfur through agencies such as Islamic Relief on a large scale, and similarly, these efforts go unreported. Thus, accusations of this community forgetting Darfur are unjust and untrue.

However, the students who level such accusations need to consider the actions of the state of Israel where the Sudanese refugees are concerned. Secent events displayed clearly that their actions are very far removed form the actions of the world Jewry independent of Israel. The government of Israel has began to evict refugees from Darfur who made their way to Israel, pulling the rug from under the feet of British Jewish efforts showing compassion and consideration for Darfur’s refugees.

The numbers of refugees entering Israel from Darfur are minuscule if not completely negligible as far as the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees is concerned; which has stated that in the last few days there have been around 50 desperate people a day coming through.

On 19 August, an Israeli government spokesman said that all new asylum seekers would be sent back to Egypt, with no exception: “The policy of returning back anyone who enters Israel illegally will pertain to everyone, including those from Darfur,” David Baker said.

Although the majority of refugees remain internally displaced in Darfur, some have tried to flee across the borders into Chad and Egypt for sanctuary. It is estimated that around 400 refugees have tried to make their way into Israel from Egypt, with a hope of finding a sanctuary. However the few that survived trekking through the harsh Sinai desert and dodging the boarder patrol, are being returned back by Israel. Thus far, 48 people have been returned to Egypt and others will face the same fait. The Washington Post reported on August 19 that the ‘Egyptian police said the Darfur migrants would be expelled to Sudan’ as they already have tens of thousands and are ill equipped to take anymore. Israel’s actions have not been hindered by this fact and it appears that Israel is acting like a state above its neighbours, with no intention of helping those in need close to its shores.

The actions of Israel are a far cry from the call by the World Jewish Relief which has support from across the British Jewish community. Other surrounding countries such as Egypt have born a heavy burden with thousands of refugees, and yet Israel, a far wealthier nation, refuses to allow a few dozen to reside within its borders. On the other hand, Chairman of World Jewish Relief, Nigel Layton has stated “We have already seen what can happen when the world stands by, reluctant to become involved in the affairs of other countries. Six million Jews paid that price, almost 1 million Rwandans paid that price, 200,000 Bosnians paid that price, and so far, it seems that 400,000 Darfuris have paid that price, too. We know what it is to see our communities and our families murdered in cold blood while others do nothing. We know how that feels, and that gives us a moral obligation to never let it happen again. ‘Never again’ is quickly becoming ‘yet again,’ and we cannot be a part of that.”

Perhaps an expedient way to assist those that have escaped the ravages of Darfur and to show the commitment of World Jewish Relief would be to demand Israel provide them with asylum and the British Jews are well placed to assist in this through their links with Israel.

Ismail Patel

Duplicity over Darfur?