Israel arrests and plans to deport Ethiopian asylum seekers

Israel arrests and plans to deport Ethiopian asylum seekers Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Thu, 03/19/2026 - 13:11 Israel intends to deport 8,000 Ethiopians from April, according to aid organisation Israeli security forces detain an asylum seeker in September 2023 (Jack Guez/AFP) Off Israel has begun arresting Ethiopian asylum seekers and plans to deport those already in detention next month, civil society sources have told Middle East Eye. Starting on 17 April, Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority will act on a January 2024 government decision and deport all Ethiopian asylum seekers from Israel, Haaretz reported on Monday. News of the planned deportation comes after several human rights groups petitioned Israel’s supreme court to block the move, which initially delayed government action.