Minister of the Interior Eli Yishai responded Sunday to government data showing that 49 people entered Israel illegally from the Sinai peninsula in October 2012, compared to 1,998 in October 2011. The “uncompromising” stance on infiltration, shown by steps such as the construction of a border fence and enforcement of laws against illegal residency, has paid off, he said.
However, he said, Israel still must face the problem of tens of thousands of Sudanese and Eritrean citizens living in the country “and acting as they do in their own countries.” He called on the government to find a solution that would allow most of the illegal entrants to be expelled from Israel, possibly to a third country.