Controversial New Law in Israel which Permits Deportation of Attacker’s Relatives
The measure which was supported by far-right allies and members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party passed by a vote of 61-41 but it will probably face legal challenges.
Residents of annexed east Jerusalem and Palestinian citizens of Israel who “express support or identification with the act of terrorism” or who were aware of the attacks on their family members beforehand would be eligible.
For seven to twenty years they would be deported either to the Gaza Strip or somewhere else. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and the majority of the population has been forced to migrate frequently several times.
In the occupied West Bank where Israel has a long-standing tradition of destroying the attacker’s family homes, it was uncertain if this news would hold true. In recent years, Israelis have been the target of several stabbing, shooting and car-ramming attacks by Palestinians.
During the 1967 Mideast War Israel took control of Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem areas which the Palestinians seek for their future state. Although it withdrew troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005 still it has reoccupied some areas of the region after the war was started by an onslaught by Hamas on October 7th 2023.
The majority of the international community failed to recognize Israel’s takeover of east Jerusalem. Although Palestinians are permitted to apply for citizenship and have permanent residency there, the majority do not and those who experience several challenges.
Approximately 20 percent of Israel’s population is Palestinian. Despite having citizenship and the ability to vote, they are frequently the targets of discrimination. Most of them support the Palestinian cause and many have direct biological ties to people in the territories.
Palestinian, Israel, Gaza, Deportation, Prime Minister Benjamin.