HOLOT: Hundreds of African migrants protested on Thursday outside an Israeli prison where at least nine others have been incarcerated under Israel’s controversial new policy of expelling or imprisoning them.

They marched a short distance from the Holot open detention centre to Saharonim Prison, chanting slogans and carrying signs demanding the prisoners’ release.

They said they were on a hunger strike and vowed to continue it until a solution is reached.

Israel is preparing to deport thousands of Eritreans and Sudanese who entered the country illegally and who do not have asylum claims under examination.

The government has offered them a choice: leave by early April to their homelands or a third country, or face indefinite detention in prison.

As many could face danger if returned to their home countries, Israel is proposing to send them to an unnamed third country, which migrants and aid workers say is Rwanda or Uganda.

Israel plans to start by tackling the cases of single men who have not submitted asylum applications, or whose applications have been rejected.

Authorities on Tuesday transferred the first Eritrean detainees, detained at the Holot open detention centre, to Saharonim Prison after they refused to leave the country.

Israeli authorities said nine had been jailed, while migrants said the number was 12.

Hundreds of detainees at the Holot centre went on hunger strike on Tuesday night in protest at the move.

Clasping their hands over their heads, protesters on Thursday chanted: “We are not criminals, we are refugees! No deportation, no more prison, we are not for sale, we are asylum seekers! Bring back our brothers!” Muluebrhan Gheb­rihimet, a 27-year-old Erit­rean, said that when he arrived in Israel six years ago, he had filed an asylum application, but it was rejected.

“We are here to seek asylum, not to work or become rich,” he said. He did not know when he would be sent to prison.

A wave of African migrants arrived in Israel after 2007, crossing the border from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2018