Israel’s defense establishment has been offering African asylum seekers, many of whom fled war-torn countries, the possibility of permanent residency in exchange for contributing to its war effort in Gaza. The promise of legal status has been criticized by human rights activists as an inhumane exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Despite some asylum seekers volunteering for civilian support roles, none who have contributed to the conflict have been granted official status, raising concerns about the ethical implications of this policy.
In response to questions posed by *Setit*, prominent Eritrean human rights activists weighed in on the situation. One activist acknowledged parallels between Israel’s actions and other countries’ practices, saying, “The Americans have recruited Hispanics and others into their army in return for a green card. Nothing new if other countries do it, especially at times of war.” However, the activist went on to condemn the policy, adding, “That said, the very act itself is very unethical and can be considered as abuse of someone in need of protection and sanctuary.”
The activist also addressed the complexities of Israel’s demographics and geopolitical concerns: “Israel, as a country, is too small and too sensitive about demographics, which means it cannot entertain adopting policies of hosting aliens in the long term. A country in constant war, in addition to the factors mentioned above, means there is very little scope, if any, for implementing international humanitarian law.” The activist suggested that the best course of action might involve cooperation with the UNHCR to resettle asylum seekers in third countries while retaining some to fill local labor market needs.
Another human rights activist condemned Israel’s actions more directly, asserting that Israel has a mandated responsibility to protect the rights of migrants within its borders. The activist questioned the sincerity of the offer, asking, “How will the permanent residency document be used if these migrants die in the war?” This activist also called on Eritrean asylum seekers to be vigilant, warning them to be aware of “the trap that has been set up by Israel.”
Critics argue that using the promise of legal status as a reward for military service overlooks the inherent human rights of asylum seekers, who fled their countries due to violence and persecution. While Israeli defense officials maintain that the recruitment process is conducted legally, the ethical concerns voiced by activists highlight the complexities and potential consequences of involving migrants in military conflicts.