Jerusalem, July 23: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has ordered police to expel 50,000 illegal immigrants, public radio reported.

The crackdown set to start today, was ordered yesterday night, it said.
Sharon gave the order after receiving a report that the growing number of illegal immigrants was helping fuel unemployment, which stands at the high rate of 10.6 per cent of the active working population.

Sharon gave the order after receiving a report that the growing number of illegal immigrants was helping fuel unemployment, which stands at the high rate of 10.6 per cent of the active working population.

Israel puts its number of illegal immigrants at between 150,000 and 200,000, with most of the aliens coming from eastern Europe, Africa or Asia.
Many of them work at construction sites, on farms and in restaurants.


Bureau Report