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Israel rejects international immigration pact

In rejecting the United Nations new convention on migration, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made common cause with right-wing governments in the West but appears to remain at a loss about how to handle illegal immigrants in Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a candle lightning ceremony on the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City December 6, 2018 Gil Cohen Magen/Pool via REUTERS - RC194FC2E670
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Like other right-wing governments in the West, Israel will not be participating in the international conference in Morocco this month where the United Nations will present the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.

Agreement to develop the compact and introduce it at a conference had been reached during meetings of the UN General Assembly in September 2016. At the time, the plan was for participants to sign the convention in Marrakesh, even though it would not be legally binding. Representatives from Israel’s Foreign Ministry participated in the discussions during which the convention was written, but on Nov. 20 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would not be participating in the conference nor would it become a signatory to the compact.

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