Oren Ziv's asylum seeker coverage

An asylum seeker stands outside Holot detention center after being released, August 25, 2015. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

PHOTOS: Hundreds of asylum seekers released from Holot — with nowhere to go

Approximately 600 African asylum seekers were released from Holot on Tuesday morning, following a High Court ruling. But their ban from entering Tel Aviv or Eilat — where much of their community lives — left them feeling helpless and confused. By Oren Ziv / Activestills.org Hassan, a Sudanese asylum seeker, looks on as he stands…

By Activestills August 25, 2015

Exclusive: Despite dangers, Israel sending asylum seekers to home countries

For the first time, new statistics reveal that nearly 4,600 Sudanese and 1,000 Eritreans were sent back to their countries of origin, possibly against international law. Israel’s Interior Ministry claims they are returning ‘voluntarily.’ A +972 Magazine exclusive. By Oren Ziv / Activestills.org Israel has been sending thousands of African asylum seekers back to their…

By Activestills August 18, 2015

Sudanese asylum seekers sit in groups outside the gates of the Holot detention facility while they wait for the daily Ramadan fast to end, July 2015. (Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Asylum seekers say Israeli authorities use food to pressure them

A new report by a refugee organization says the food Israeli prison authorities provide to African asylum seekers being detained in Holot does not meet their nutritional needs. During the Ramadan fast, the many restrictions on food in the ‘open’ facility make life even tougher on Muslim asylum seekers from Darfur. Some detainees say the…

By Activestills July 8, 2015

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African asylum seekers march from Holot toward the Egyptian border, June 28, 2014. (Photo by Activestills.org)

A year since protests, detained asylum seekers hint at new strategy

A year ago, 1,000 African asylum seekers marched out of the Holot detention facility toward the Egyptian border, hoping to draw the world’s attention to their plight. Since then, thousands have been pressured to leave Israel. As protests appear ineffectual, two asylum seekers discuss what comes next.

By Activestills June 27, 2015

Israelis and African Asylum seekers jailed in Holot preform during a theatre show outside the Holot detention center in the Negev desert, June 13, 2015. (photo: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

PHOTOS: Asylum seeker theater troupe re-imagines life in Israel

A theater troupe made up of both asylum seekers and Israelis puts on their debut performance — and lets the audience choose the ending. Text and photos by Oren Ziv / Activestills.org Nearly 1,000 asylum seekers and Israelis arrived at Holot detention center on Saturday to watch the premier of a play put on by the…

By Activestills June 14, 2015

Detainees at the Holot 'open' prison. (Photo by Oren Ziv/Activestills.org)

Portraits: Detained African asylum seekers in Israel

The faces and stories of African asylum seekers indefinitely detained at ‘Holot,’ Israel’s new ‘open’ prison. Project by: Oren Ziv/Activestills.org, Hotline for Refugees and Migrants This portrait series was taken outside of the Holot prison for African asylum seekers in Israel’s Negev desert. Israeli authorities refer to Holot as an ‘open facility’ because its detainees can…

By Activestills January 18, 2014