Israel has once again demonstrated its willingness to exploit vulnerable African asylum seekers, this time by recruiting them for its ongoing war in Gaza. In a shameful move, the Israeli government has offered these desperate individuals a so-called “deal” of permanent residency in exchange for risking their lives in a foreign conflict. This latest tactic is yet another chapter in Israel’s long history of mistreatment toward Africans, which includes the horrific sterilization of Ethiopian women without their consent.
Reports suggest that military officials saw the desperation of these asylum seekers, many of whom have lived in Israel for over a decade in legal limbo, and turned it into an opportunity for exploitation. These asylum seekers, mostly from Sudan and Eritrea, fled their own war-torn countries in search of safety, only to find themselves trapped in a foreign country that has consistently denied them basic rights. Israel has a track record of accepting less than 1% of asylum claims, leaving these people in a state of uncertainty, waiting for years for decisions that may never come.
Israel’s historical treatment of Africans has never been friendly. Beyond the current exploitation, we must not forget the sterilization of Ethiopian women. For years, Ethiopian women in Israel were unknowingly administered contraceptives as a means of population control, a dark and disturbing chapter that has stained Israel’s human rights record. Such actions reveal a pattern of deep-seated hostility toward Africans, who have long been marginalized and mistreated.
Now, as Israel’s war with Hamas drags on, these same African asylum seekers are being lured into military service with vague promises of permanent residency—promises that refugee advocates doubt will ever be fulfilled. This exploitation reflects the failures not only of Israel but also of African governments, whose corruption and mismanagement have driven thousands to flee their homelands in the first place.
The real fight these asylum seekers should take on is not in the streets of Gaza but in their own countries. The root of their suffering lies in the failed systems of governance in Sudan, Eritrea, and other African nations, where leaders continue to prioritize their power over the well-being of their people. True liberation will come not through fighting someone else’s war but by demanding accountability and change at home.
Source: France24.com
