June 26, 2012

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel deported 150 more migrants from South Sudan.

A planeload with 150 of the African migrants, which Israel calls illegal infiltrators, left Israel for South Sudan on Monday evening.

Some 120 other South Sudanese migrants left Israel last w eek.

The migrants reportedly are leaving voluntarily in exchange for a cash grant and a fight home. Migrants who do not leave voluntarily will be imprisoned if caught, according to reports.

Israel rounded up dozens of South Sudanese last week in immigration control sweeps.

There are more than 1,500 South Sudanese migrants currently in Israel, according to estimates. Some 600 reportedly have signed statements saying they are willing to be repatriated to South Sudan.

Two more group flights reportedly will return to the country next week.

Violence against African migrants has increased in recent weeks,    
 

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