Senior rabbi’s concern over plight of refugees in ‘jungle’ demolition

Figures from the Jewish community have issued concern over the plight of child refugees made homeless amidst the closure of the Calais ‘jungle’.

French government officials declared the operation to clear the ‘Jungle’, a camp that held thousands refugees, a success.

However, charities and aid workers claim that hundreds of child refugees had been left unregistered and with nowhere to go.

Some have said a warehouse used to register camp dwellers had been closed before many unaccompanied children had been processed and transported to alternative accommodation.

Senior Reform Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, who has visited the ‘Jungle’ on numerous occasions, said “it is beyond comprehension that people can be mistreated like this.”

Every single person, every child and adult who is now in physical and emotional limbo must be registered and cared for properly which is their very basic human right. How can we look at ourselves in the mirror without shame when this is going on?”

Holly Kal-Weiss, who was recently turned away from Calais to deliver a car-full of aid donated by her synagogue and two Jewish schools also condemned the situation.

Kal-Weiss said: “Safe Passage UK, Calais Action and Help Refugees among others have worked tirelessly for months to ensure that unaccompanied minors would be protected when the Jungle camp was closed.

I can not understand how the authorities have failed to protect the most vulnerable people in camp.”