Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed a law allowing the government to deport family members of individuals convicted of terrorism offenses, including Israeli citizens.
The legislation, proposed by a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, targets first-degree relatives, such as parents, siblings, or children, of those found guilty of committing or supporting terrorism.
Israeli human rights organizations have swiftly condemned the law as unconstitutional. Opposition members of the Knesset suggest it disproportionately affects Palestinian citizens of Israel, approximately 20% of the population.
The law permits deportation of relatives who had advance knowledge of an attack and failed to report it or expressed support or identification with the act.
Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin, an Israeli political analyst, asserts that the law is intended to target Arabs and Palestinians. “It is very unlikely that a Jewish citizen of Israel would ever be deported under this law,” she said.
Opposition member Merav Michaeli questioned the law’s applicability to Jewish Israeli citizens, citing the example of Yigal Amir, former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassin. Mickey Levy also raised concerns, asking if National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s family would be deported, given his past conviction for incitement to violence.
Eran Shamir-Borer, a senior researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute, believes the law will be struck down by the Supreme Court due to its unconstitutionality and conflict with Israel’s core values. “The bottom line is this is completely non-constitutional,” he stated.
Deportees will be sent to Gaza or other destinations, and Israeli citizens will retain their citizenship but face a 7-15 year re-entry ban. Permanent residents may be deported for 10-20 years. Additionally, a temporary order allows prison sentences for children under 14 convicted of murder as part of terrorism.
Critics argue the law lacks judicial oversight and violates human rights. The justice ministry and attorney general’s office have expressed concerns about its enforceability.
BBC/NGG
