Israel has informed thousands of African migrants that they must leave the country by the end of March or risk jail time, officials said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the plan last month. Under its parameters about 38,000 mainly Eritrean and Sudanese migrants who entered the country illegally must leave the country by the end of next month or face jail, and eventual deportation.
Officials began issuing the migrants letters today. Notices are initially only being given to men without families. Additionally, victims of slavery or human trafficking, as well as asylum seekers are also exempt for now. The Israeli government is offering those who leave voluntarily $3,500, a flight ticket and help obtaining travel documents.
Some Israeli airline pilots have said they will not fly individuals who have been forcibly removed from the country, and Israeli Holocaust survivors wrote an open letter to Netanyahu last month asking him to reconsider the plan.