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African asylum seekers in Israel face a complex situation, caught between Jewish historic obligation to protect refugees and political Zionist militancy. Despite being a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, Israel systematically refuses to grant refugee status to African asylum seekers, instead treating them as economic migrants. The Israeli government has built a fence along its border with Egypt, drastically reducing the number of asylum seekers entering the country. Those who do enter are often subjected to miserable conditions, with many being detained, deported, or forced to live in poverty. The Israeli government's policy is influenced by a nationalist and Zionist ideology that prioritizes the protection of Jewish identity and security over humanitarian concerns. As a result, African asylum seekers are often referred to as "infiltrators," a term that carries a highly negative meaning linked to national security and terrorism. The situation has led to a heated debate in Israel, with some politicians and NGOs advocating for a more humane approach, while others continue to push for a hardline stance against asylum seekers.