Israel is on the verge of the mass deportation/incarceration of its entire asylum-seeker population, around 35 000 persons, to undisclosed countries under secret agreements. From past deportations, and despite denials by both countries, these countries are known to be Rwanda and Uganda.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has voiced its grave concern regarding this policy. The UNHCR has interviewed more than 80 past deportees, in Rome, finding that they did not receive any protection following deportation. Many of those previously deported have lost their lives looking for safety, while many survivors have reached Europe and have predominantly been granted refugee status on the basis of their original claim, denied by Israel.

This is of grave concern both to the asylum-seekers in Israel and to their families, European residents and citizens.

In view of this likely scenario, how will the EU dissuade Israel from carrying out these deportations and, if they go ahead, what instruments will it activate against Israel and the destination countries to halt or reduce the deportations?