Ethiopians facing expulsion from Israel want asylum in Canada

Feb 9, 2006 (JERUSALEM) — An Israeli court dismissed the petition of 71 Ethiopian asylum seekers for immediate release from detention yesterday but instructed authorities to delay their deportation for a month.

According to the Canadian Guelph Mercury, the Ethiopians — most of them held for close to two years — want to go to Canada but face the prospect of being sent back to their native country first, as it could be months before Canada decides whether to admit them.

Their lawyer plans to appeal.

A judge in Tel Aviv ruled that there was “no substantial basis either by United Nations or local investigators to support their claim that they were at personal risk of persecution if deported to Ethiopia.”

(Guelph Mercury/ST)