Israeli rabbis unveil plan to 'hide' African migrants facing deportation

Activists are hoping to shield African migrants in Israel from a new plan targeting an estimated 38,000 asylum seekers mainly from Eritrea and Sudan, who have been offered $3,500 and a plane ticket if they leave by March or face an indefinite prison term if they refuse.

The move has been condemned by the United Nations as incoherent and unsafe.

The new campaign by Israeli human rights organisation, Rabbis for Human Rights, is being spearheaded by Rabbi Susan Silverman, sister to US comedian Sarah Silverman.

"Who here would be willing to house people?" Silverman asked at a gathering of rabbis and educators in Jerusalem. Silverman said that while she hopes it won't come to this, she believes that even talking about the idea should act as a deterrent to the Israeli government, reported Haaretz.

Read more: Israel's war on African refugees is inspiring white supremacists

Those backing the campaign will take the message to their communities to gather support. The plan also includes reaching out to kibbutzim, moshavim and synagogue communities around Israel.

"Anne Frank is the most well-known hidden person, and she was hidden so she would not be sent to her death – and we have documentation that these people are facing possible death," Silverman told Haaretz, referring to migrants potentially being trafficked and tortured in Africa.

"People risked their lives to save Jews and we as a country are now saying we don't want to risk the tiniest demographic shift?" Silverman said.

"We have a prime minister who is quoting Pharaoh when he says [of the asylum seekers] that their numbers will grow. Pharaoh said the Hebrew slaves will grow and overcome us."

The deportation plan, announced by Binyamin Netanyahu is set to come into effect in April and will take up to two years.

Israel also said it will pay almost $9,000 to citizens who help in the forced expulsion of asylum seekers.