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Egyptian Policy Imperils Refugees, Migrants at Israel's Door
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Barbara Harrell-Bond, who left Egypt this month after years teaching in the refugee studies program at the American University in Cairo, said Egypt had adopted its more aggressive policy on the border in response to U.S. and Israeli demands.
"Of course the pressure from America and Israel on Egypt is producing this kind of inhumane, undue-force attempt to protect the border," Harrell-Bond said.
Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said Egypt was responsible for setting its own border policy, including the use of lethal force, but acknowledged Israel had made overtures to Egypt about the flow of migrants.
"We have approached the Egyptians on a number of occasions at different levels, including the very highest level . . . and have urged them to do more to prevent people from crossing into Israel illegally," he said.
At the same time, Regev said, Israel does not permit its forces to fire on migrants spotted entering its territory. "Israel is a country with rule of law, where you can only use force where force is required," he said.
Special correspondent Sherine al-Bayoumi in Cairo contributed to this report.
