Knesset passes law to deport families of Palestinians ‘involved in attacks against Israelis’
JERUSALEM (AA) – The Knesset (Israel’s parliament) passed a new controversial law that allows the deportation of family members of Palestinians involved in “attacks against Israelis.”
The bill was approved in the second and third readings by 61-41 votes, making it an effective law.
The legislation is widely seen to be targeting Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinian residents of the occupied East Jerusalem.
The law did not specify where families or relatives would be deported. Yet, Israeli media says that Gaza will be a destination for those being deported.
The new law gives power to the interior minister to decide which relative will be expelled if the ministry provides evidence that a family member had prior knowledge of an attack, or if a family member voices support for an attack against Israelis.
A Knesset statement said that under the law, the deportation period for a person who holds Israeli citizenship may range from 7-15 years, and from 10-20 years for a person who holds a legal residence permit.
There was no immediate Palestinian comment on the controversial law that can be used to displace countless Palestinians not directly involved in any violence.
On Tuesday, the Israeli Knesset had passed a similar law allowing the sacking of Arab teachers who “show support for attacks against Israelis.”
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