From Sudan to Israel: a tough road

Up to 1,000 migrants sneak across Israel's porous borders each month. Few get to stay.

By Rebecca Collard
Published: February 8, 2010 07:06 ET

JERUSALEM, Israel — From the top of a sand dune on the Egyptian side of the border it’s easy to see how 18,000 African asylum seekers have slipped across Israel’s desert frontier.

Khalil, one of many Sinai Bedouins involved in smuggling, points at the sparsely placed Egyptian guard posts in the distance. He says he smuggles around 20 Africans a week into Israel,...

Recent on Israel and Palestine:

Opinion: Bringing the Mideast to America

Matt Beynon Rees - Israel and Palestine - February 1, 2010 06:55 ET

Often a novelist can humanize foreign affairs in ways a journalist can't.

Israeli "domestic issues" take on new meaning

Matt Beynon Rees - Israel and Palestine - January 25, 2010 06:41 ET

Alleged abuse of staff by Netanyahu's third wife opens him up to political attack.

Anti-Israel protests target young tennis star

Mark Starr - Sports - January 22, 2010 09:03 ET

In response, 22-year-old Shahar Peer insists politics have nothing to do with her match on the court.

Back to diplomacy school for Israel?

Matt Beynon Rees - Israel and Palestine - January 21, 2010 07:16 ET

OK, the Turkish TV show was offensive, but was Israel's humiliating response helpful?

Israeli ultra-orthodox rail against net use

Ben Lynfield - Israel and Palestine - January 16, 2010 11:12 ET

Sensing a threat, the rabbis have forced the closure of several ultra-orthodox websites.

Palestinan road to nowhere

Daniella Cheslow - Israel and Palestine - January 13, 2010 06:37 ET

The Israeli Army shut Highway 443 for security. A court reopened it for equality.

Israelis put up a parking lot

Daniella Cheslow - Israel and Palestine - January 13, 2010 06:36 ET

Analysis: The "Palestinian Nelson Mandela"

Matt Beynon Rees - Israel and Palestine - January 12, 2010 06:44 ET

Marwan Barghouti, serving five life sentences in an Israeli jail, is a key sticking point in negotiations between Israel and Hamas over kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

Analysis: Israel listening to world opinion?

Ben Lynfield - Israel and Palestine - January 7, 2010 18:19 ET

International reactions to the Gaza war are behind Israel's decision to consult lawyers on military action.

"Miss Palestine" hopefuls sent home

Catrina Stewart - Israel and Palestine - December 22, 2009 06:48 ET

No point blaming Israeli occupation — the contest faced its strongest opposition inside the West Bank.

A not-so-merry Christmas in Bethlehem

Catrina Stewart - Israel and Palestine - December 21, 2009 06:48 ET

A lack of tourists, kept away by tour operators and — traders say — the Israeli security barrier, has Bethlehem traders facing a bleak festive season.

A four-state solution for Israel?

Matt Beynon Rees - Israel and Palestine - December 10, 2009 06:38 ET

Palestinians are divided; Israelis too. Not a good basis for negotiation.

Opinion: For Israel and Syria, peace is within reach

Mohamad Bazzi - Worldview - December 8, 2009 10:36 ET

Why the Obama administration should focus on Israel-Syria relations, over Israel-Palestine.

On Location: Tel Aviv

Sara Sorcher - Israel and Palestine - December 5, 2009 11:15 ET

The West Bank's third intifada approaches

Matt Beynon Rees - Israel and Palestine - November 28, 2009 09:16 ET

Rain on the streets of Bethlehem can't cool simmering tension.

Where the turkey is called chompipe and other Thanksgiving stories

News Desk - Worldview - November 26, 2009 12:40 ET

Tales from Thanksgivings on four continents, not including North America.

Behold: the world's 10 fattest countries

Laurie Cunningham - Commerce - November 26, 2009 09:31 ET

It's a big world, after all. We're talking to you, American Samoa. Kiribati, too.

Global Blogs:

Brace for Impact on Iran

Ben Moscovitch, Israel Blog (Foreign Policy Assoc.) - Israel and Palestine - February 9, 2010 00:30 ET

The Iran issue is coming to a head. On the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian Supreme Leader announced his country would deliver a “punch” to the world that would stun...

The Day In Israel: Tuesday Feb 9th, 2010

Isreally cool - Israel and Palestine - February 8, 2010 17:39 ET

The Iranian Foreign Minister has called Israel a “crazy country run by crazy people.” Iranian Foreign Minister Manchour Mottaki declared Monday that Israel was now weaker than ever before, adding that it was a “crazy country run by crazy people.” Mottaki...

PCHR Condemns IOF Pursuit of International Human Rights Defenders in the West...

Michael Loadenthal, Editor, The "From Occupied Palestine With Love" Blog - Israel and Palestine - February 8, 2010 16:45 ET

08 February 2010 The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the continued persecution of international human rights defenders in the West Bank by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) and the deportation of international activists from the country. PCHR is concerned...

"Is/was there a genocide in Palestine?"

Sameh A. Habeeb, Author, "Gaza Today" blog - Israel and Palestine - February 8, 2010 12:31 ET

Is/was there a genocide in Palestine? www.paltelegraph.com London, Feb 8, (Pal Telegraph) - Having commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day with Holocaust survivor Hajo Meyer and some Jewish...

Is/was there a genocide in Palestine?

The Staff, The Palestine Telegraph blog - Israel and Palestine - February 8, 2010 12:45 ET

London, February 8, (Pal Telegraph) - Having commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day with Holocaust survivor Hajo Meyer and some Jewish friends, after a talk at Goldsmith University last week, I feel...

FIRST INTERNATIONAL SESSION OF the RUSSEL TRIBUNAL ON PALESTINE

Hiyam Noir, Author, "Palestine Free Voice" blog - Israel and Palestine - February 8, 2010 11:16 ET

Jeudi 21 janvier 2010 4 21 /01 /2010 13:44The first international session of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine will be held in Barcelona on 1, 2 and 3 March 2010. The mandate of the Tribunal...

Life's Course

A Soldier's Mother - Israel and Palestine - February 8, 2010 08:10 ET

The army has a much coveted course that it offers to a limited number of soldiers. It can't offer it to all of them. For the most part, it is another benefit given to combat soldiers, though others are also able to attend when space is available. Elie was lucky - he got the...

Women of the Temple Mount?

The Muqata - Israel and Palestine - February 8, 2010 07:49 ET

The Women of the Wall are back in the news again.Not simply because of their connection to the "New Israel" Fund, but because last week 2 women wore talitot and carried a sefer Torah into the women's section at the Kotel. They were arrested.Years ago, Israel's Supreme Court...

HaHaפuch: It's Not Just a Coffee Anymore

Benji Lovitt, Author/Comedian, "What War Zone?" blog - Israel and Palestine - February 4, 2010 04:08 ET

Good morning, people-for the last 3.5 years, I have tried to make you laugh through video goodness, ridiculous status updates and Tweets, Yom Ha'atzmaut lists, stand-up, and of course, observations and personal tales on this blog. Next Thursday night (now I sound like the...

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