2 undocumented Filipino mothers, children arrested in Israel —report

Two Filipino women and their three Israeli-born children were arrested by immigration authorities in Israel amid the government's crackdown on undocumented migrants, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported.

The report said Filipina migrant worker Geraldine Esta and her two children were nabbed after authorities raided their neighborhood in Ramat Gan.

Another Filipina was also taken to the immigration detention center with her baby.

Esta had supposedly been working in Israel for 16 years. She cried as she was led out of her house.

Last month, it has been reported that Israel's Population and Immigration Authority was set to deport around 100 Filipina workers and their children.

The visas of these migrant workers have allegedly expired for non-renewal after childbirth in Israel.

Amid the issue, Migrante International urged the Philippine government to address the roots of forced migration.

"Poverty and the absence of adequate social services are some of the numerous reasons why Esta and millions of other OFWs chose to leave the country," the group said in a statement.

It also vowed to monitor the issue in Israel.

"Many members of the Filipino community in Israel are gripped by fear as they anticipate more raids and arrests in the coming days," it said.

GMA News Online reached out to the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs for comment but has yet to receive any.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Middle East and African Affairs Leslie Baja had earlier requested the Israeli government "to treat overstaying Filipinos who need to be repatriated in an orderly and benignant manner, [e]specially since children may be involved."

Baja also said that Filipino workers must observe the immigration laws of foreign countries where they are employed. —Dona Magsino/NB, GMA News