State of Israel’s Internal and External Policy with Regard to Work Immigrants

Abstract

Borders between countries which have once been closed, are being opened and people can now relocate, hoping for a better life. However, these waves of immigration have led countries to set immigration policies, based on their wish and ability to allow immigrants entry. Israel is not different, and it too has an immigration policy, designed to let those who are allowed in, keeping out those who are not allowed. The current research explores the current immigration policy and suggests a new framework, considering the problems it encompasses. A research model with several stages has been formulated: content analysis of documentation, interviews with work immigrants, questionnaires filled out by people working for the Israeli immigration control system, and a focus group with senior members of the different governmental branches. The new model focuses on tight supervision for the human resource contractors who bring work immigrants to Israel. This compels them to protect their rights. It also suggests that the policy must focus mainly on integration and acculturation of the immigrants in their surroundings, aiming to reduce discrimination and feelings of fear and hate towards them, and to make them feel protected in their new community. This integration has to be implemented by educating the local population and by integrating leaders of the immigration community into local authorities.