News / Palestine

Israel passes law to expel families of 'attackers' for up to 20 years

Thursday, 07 November 2024 10:05 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 07 November 2024 10:05 AM ]

Israeli troops fan out after a soldier was critically injured in a car-ramming attack near the West Bank city of Ramallah on Sept. 11, 2024.

Israel's parliament (Knesset) has approved a controversial law allowing the deportation of family members of individuals who carry out attacks against Israeli forces and settlers.

Advocated by members of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party and his far-right allies, the legislation was passed with a vote of 61-41 on Thursday.

The law authorizes the regime's interior minister to deport a family member to the Gaza Strip or other destinations, depending on circumstances, if it is found that they "knew in advance" of the attacker's plan and did nothing to prevent it.

The interior minister would also be allowed to expel a relative who "expressed support or sympathy" for attacks in the occupied territories.

Under the legislation, those residing in the occupied territories could be deported between 7-15 years, while non-residents could face deportation for at least ten years and up to 20 years.

If enacted, the law would apply to first-degree relatives of attackers, including parents, siblings, children, and spouses.

Six Israeli settlers killed, dozens injured in truck-ramming operation near Tel Aviv

At least six Israeli settlers have been killed and some 50 others injured in a truck-ramming retaliatory operation at a bus stop near the commercial hub of Tel Aviv in the occupied territories.

Both Israel's so-called justice ministry and the attorney general’s office have raised concerns about the law, saying it is legally problematic to grant the power to a minister and not the courts to deport people.

Eran Shamir-Borer, a former international law expert for the Israeli military, said the law is likely to be struck down by the supreme court based on previous cases regarding deportation.

“The bottom line is this is completely non-constitutional,” he said.

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