National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir sent a letter to Deputy Attorney-General Gil Limon demanding an immediate discussion to advance expelling illegal immigrants in southern Tel Aviv, as well as other parts of the country, Maariv reported on Sunday.
In the letter, Ben-Gvir claimed that there are thousands of illegal immigrants who have not been expelled from Israel, even though, according to him, there is a legal and practical framework in place that could facilitate this.
As a result, Ben-Gvir wrote, Israel has been dealing with a phenomenon of crime, violence, and harm to personal security in recent years.
He also referred to the SSQ gang, a criminal outfit that consists of both minors and adults, mostly of Sudanese, Eritrean, and Filipino origin, with some Israeli members, which frequently commits serious violent offenses.
He also referred to the Foreign Ministry's legal opinion, which determined that illegal immigrants and asylum seekers from third-world countries could be expelled without difficulty, as well as to previous rulings and procedures that allowed advancing this process.
His letter also states that immediate action should be taken to deport illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in cases where they commit a criminal offense or pose a threat to public security.
He concludes with a demand to convene an urgent discussion on the matter and bring about an operational plan to expel the illegal immigrants and asylum seekers who have, in his words, "already been residing in Israel for nearly two decades."
"Residents of southern Tel Aviv, and all Israeli citizens, should not continue to pay the price. It is time to stop dragging our feet and advance a real plan for the expulsion of illegal infiltrators from the State of Israel," he said.
Ben-Gvir reached out to Shin Bet Chief David Zini for technological assistance
At the end of April, Ben-Gvir reached out to Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Director David Zini and requested that he join the fight against SSQ operating in Tel Aviv. "The police are doing everything they can to handle the issue, but they need the advanced technological means of Shin Bet to fight this war," sources close to Ben-Gvir explained.
At the same time, Ben-Gvir was interviewed on 103FM and said that he approached the attorney-general about expelling illegal immigrants and asylum seekers.
"Most of the members of the SSQ gang have been arrested. The court is also guilty, and the attorney-general, to whom I asked, 'Let's expel them,' we brought her 30-40 cases dealing with violent illegal immigrants, including youths. To this day, only one was expelled," he said during the interview.