Israel's government has approved plans for the construction of a barrier along its border with Egypt in a bid to keep out illegal migrants

It will be built along two parts of the border - near the Red Sea city of Eilat and on the edge of the Gaza Strip. Benjamin Netanyahu said the decision was taken to secure Israel's Jewish and democratic character. In recent years, thousands of migrants have crossed into Israel via Egypt. At least 17 migrants, mostly African, have been killed since May 2009. According to Israeli police estimates between 100-200 illegal immigrants cross into Israel from Egypt every week. Eritrea is the most common country of origin for people trying to cross illegally from Egypt to Israel, followed by Ethiopia and Sudan.