The data was released on the eve of the UN's International Refugee Day in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of political refugees.

The number of asylum seekers wishing to stay in Israel rose by 20 percent in 2004, up from 800 the year before.

Very few asylum seekers are allowed to remain in Israel. Over the past 20 years Israel has approved only 150 such requests.

Israel has also granted temporary asylum to about 500 people from war-stricken countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Congo, but these warrants are to expire at the end of the year and the refugees will have to return to their native countries.

Asylum seekers have featured prominently in European news in recent years.

The number of asylum seekers let in to the United Kingdom was a major issue in the last elections there.