Israel plans to deport LGBT asylum seekers to Rwanda and Uganda.

AFRICAN ASYLUM-SEEKERS hold signs during a protest against the Israeli government’s plan to deport part of their community.. (photo credit: ANNA AHRONHEIM)

Israel plans to go ahead with deporting LGBT asylum seekers to Rwanda and Uganda, despite those countries having a track record of persecuting and jailing people for their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Population, Immigration and Border Authority told The Jerusalem Post that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender asylum seekers did not count as part of an excluded group of people who would not be deported – such as women and children.