Hundreds of children of migrant workers in Israel are facing deportation, as part of a government effort to preserve the Jewish character of the state.

Under a stringent set of criteria approved by Israel's cabinet, children must have studied in an Israeli school in the past year, and their parents must have entered Israel with a legal visa or permit for them to be allowed to stay.

But many Israelis have criticised the rules, arguing that any civilized democracy should give rights and protection to children born in its territory.

Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland reports from Tel Aviv.