An inter-ministerial committee commissioned by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu voted to deport 400 children of migrant workers. The remaining 800 out of the 1,200 children in question will be allowed to remain in Israel.

According to the approved criteria, Hebrew-speaking children enrolled in the Israeli school system, whom have been in Israel for more than five years, were born in Israel or entered before the age of thirteen, are in first grade or higher, and whose parents entered the country legally, will be granted permanent status.

Thirteen ministers approved the vote, ten voted against the recommendations, and four abstained. The agreement applies only to children whose parents entered Israel legally. Children who do not meet the criteria will be forced to leave the country within a month, together with their families.

Alternative Information Center

This morning, 31 May 2010, the Israeli navy perpetrated a new crime against humanity when it attacked the Freedom Flotilla, bound for Gaza, sailing in international waters. On the boats were 750 people from 40 different countries, among them 44 parliamentarians and politicians. Based on the initial news after the attack, the number killed is 16 and at least 60 are wounded. All the victims are international activists who helped organized this campaign to end Israel’s aggressive siege on Gaza that has continued for three years.

Governments Should Not Meet with Officials Wanted for War Crimes

Governments that are committed to justice for atrocities committed in Darfur should not attend the inauguration of President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan on May 27, 2010, Human Rights Watch said in a letter released today. This includes the 111 states that are parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC), as well as the United States and other members of the United Nations Security Council, which referred Darfur to the ICC in 2005.

To Foreign Ministers of EU Member States

Dear Minister:

We write with regard to the upcoming presidential inauguration of Omar al-Bashir, scheduled for May 27, 2010, to express deep concern over reports that diplomatic representatives of your government might attend the inauguration.