Israel

Israel: About 60,000 African migrants, mostly from Sudan and Eritrea, have made the long journey trekking through Egypt and other Muslim countries to reach Israel in recent years. Some have fled the violence or oppression in their home countries while others have sought a better life and more economic opportunities in Israel, according to Times Colonist. The migrant influx has sparked tensions with some Israelis who blame them for thefts, violent crimes and for transforming the Jewish identity of some neighbourhoods. Many of the African migrants have settled in a neighbourhood near the bus station in southern Tel Aviv, where longtime residents say they feel threatened and JERUSALEM - Thousands of African migrants in Israel marched up to the embassies of the United States and European countries on Monday to demand asylum and work rights from the government. About 10,000 people took part in Monday's march, police said. The migrants, many of whom are menial labourers in Israel, have been on a three-day strike. On Sunday, more than 13,000 of them rallied in central Tel Aviv. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.