Trump’s Unconscionable New Anti-Muslim Refugee Ban May Also Include Palestinian Refugees

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2017
Contact: media@jvp.org | 845-377-5745
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President Trump’s Unconscionable New Anti-Muslim Refugee Ban May Also Include Palestinian Refugees

On Tuesday, President Trump’s administration placed new restrictions on refugees, including effectively barring refugees from 11 already highly vetted countries. Though the White House has not released the names of the countries, the list is reported to likely include Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, North Korea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen as well as Palestinians who have lived in those countries as refugees.

Just like President Trump’s past attempts to bar refugees and immigrants from Muslim-majority countries, which have been repeatedly halted in court, we see the administration’s action for what it is: a Muslim Ban.

These new restrictions place undue hardship on people fleeing wars, famines, and violence, denying them the basic right to seek safety and reunification with their families. For the first time, the policy specifically includes Palestinians who have lived in the targeted countries as refugees from their homeland. Palestinians affected by these restrictions and others who have been made refugees multiple times and who cannot return to their homeland will again be denied the ability to reunite with their families.

“As the grandchild of a refugee and as an advocate for the rights of Palestinian refugees, I am outraged by this new order. JVP and all who care about justice will continue to resist this and other racist, xenophobic, and anti-Muslim policies, and for safety and dignity of all refugees and immigrants,” said Jewish Voice for Peace Deputy Director Ari Wohlfeiler.